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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'dense' or 'close' with 密 (mì)

    Degree & Intensity
    Description & Modification

    Structure

    密密 + Verb

    Explanation

    The character 密 (mì) means "dense," "close," or "tight" and describes things that are tightly packed or closely spaced. In its reduplicated form 密密, it emphasizes the closeness or meticulousness of an action. For example, 密密缝 means "to sew closely stitch by stitch."

    Examples

    • 这片森林里的树长得很密，几乎看不见阳光。

      zhè piàn sēnlín lǐ de shù zhǎng de hěn mì, jīhū kàn bù jiàn yángguāng.

      The trees in this forest grow so densely that you can hardly see sunlight.

    • 她用密密的针脚把破洞缝好了。

      tā yòng mìmì de zhēnjiǎo bǎ pòdòng fénghǎole.

      She mended the hole with tight, closely-spaced stitches.

    • 雨下得又密又急，我们只好躲在屋檐下。

      yǔ xià de yòu mì yòu jí, wǒmen zhǐhǎo duǒ zài wūyán xià.

      The rain fell thick and fast, so we had to take shelter under the eaves.

    Expressing 'dense' or 'close' with 密 (mì) | Chinese Grammar