你是我的小呀小苹果儿 What is the purpose of the second 小?

Question

So I'm listening to this catchy song and the chorus goes 你是我的小呀小苹果儿. I'm wondering why the 小 is being said twice. Is that just something the artist is doing to play with the language in the song or would you actually say that 小 two times?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzHFD1sEqpE#t=100

The usage usually appears in a song, for matching up the melody, or strenthening the (merry) mood. — , Jul 22 '14 at 03:30

score 6 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 22 '14 at 03:29

6

It's the same as songs in English - repetition is for rhythm.

你是我的小呀小苹果儿

You're my little - little apple

Something like that.

answered Jul 22 '14 at 03:29

Mou某

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An example would be Emilia's Big Big World. – geffchang Jul 22 '14 at 08:05

score 4 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 22 '14 at 04:12

See this: 我是一只小小小小鸟，想要飞呀飞　却飞也飞不高。 The purpose of the additional words is to match the rhythm. They don't make sense usually. But in some condition, the are to emphasize the feeling. http://youtu.be/FdjR-AMz50c

score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 22 '14 at 08:30

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just like this in English:

You are my liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiittle apple.

repeat for emphasize.

answered Jul 22 '14 at 08:30

shinyke

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score 1 · Answer 4 · answered Jul 22 '14 at 09:15

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小苹果 has a lively rhythm. The additional 小 avoids prolonging other words.

answered Jul 22 '14 at 09:15

user3777463

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score 0 · Answer 5 · answered Jul 23 '14 at 01:31

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Same as "twinkle twinkle little star..."

answered Jul 23 '14 at 01:31

anonymous

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你是我的小呀小苹果儿 What is the purpose of the second 小?

5 Answers5