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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "doll" with 娃娃 (wáwa)

    Description & Modification

    Structure

    玩具 + 娃娃 / Modifier + 娃娃

    Explanation

    娃娃 (wáwa) means "doll" or "baby" and is a noun commonly used to refer to toy dolls or, informally, to small children. The character reduplication gives it a cute, colloquial feel. It often appears with 玩具 (toy) as in 玩具娃娃 (toy doll).

    Examples

    • 小女孩抱着一个娃娃睡觉。

      Xiǎo nǚhái bào zhe yīgè wáwa shuìjiào.

      The little girl fell asleep holding a doll.

    • 这个娃娃是妈妈送给我的礼物。

      Zhège wáwa shì māma sòng gěi wǒ de lǐwù.

      This doll is a gift my mom gave me.

    • 她的房间里有好多玩具娃娃。

      Tā de fángjiān lǐ yǒu hǎo duō wánjù wáwa.

      There are a lot of toy dolls in her room.

    Expressing "doll" with 娃娃 (wáwa) | Chinese Grammar