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HSK 2.0 Level 6+ HSK 3.0 Level 6+ 6 min read

A这A那 and 左A右B for “This and That” and “Over and Over”

Use 问这问那 for doing something to lots of different things, and 左想右想 for doing something again and again.

Pattern

verb + 这 + same verb + 那; 左 + verb + 右 + verb

A这A那 means doing something to many different things; 左A右B means doing it many times, often with effort.

孩子第一次去动物园，一路上问这问那。

When to use A这A那 and 左A右B for “This and That” and “Over and Over”

A这A那 repeats one verb with 这 and 那: 问这问那 “ask about this and that,” 买这买那 “buy this and that.” It means the action spreads over many different things, and it often hints that it is too much or a bit fussy.

我左想右想，还是不知道该选哪个。

I thought it over and over, but I still didn’t know which one to pick.

我们左等右等，他还是没来。

We waited and waited, but he still didn’t come.

你别管这管那了，让他自己决定吧。

Stop trying to control everything. Let him decide for himself.

她一进商店就买这买那，花了不少钱。

As soon as she walked into the shop she started buying this and that, and spent quite a lot.

Common traps

  • Repeat the same verb: 问这问那 and 左看右看, not 问这说那 (set phrases like 左思右想 are the exception).
  • A这A那 is about many different things; 左A右B is about many tries at the same thing.
  • Keep the order 这 then 那, and 左 then 右; 问那问这 and 右想左想 sound wrong.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

你别管这 那了，让他自己决定吧

Stop trying to control everything. Let him decide for himself
Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

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