偷偷摸摸

tōutōumōmō
adjective #8,041

Meanings

  1. 1 sneaky; stealthy; furtive
  2. 2 secretive; underhanded

Characters

Stealthy + stealthy + groping + groping - doing things in a sneaky, furtive manner.

Examples

HSK 3
Tā tōutōumōmō de líkāi le fángjiān.
He sneaked out of the room.
HSK 3
Nǐ zài tōutōumōmō de gàn shénme?
What are you doing so sneakily?
HSK 3
Zuòshì bùyào tōutōumōmō de, guāngmíng-zhèngdà yīdiǎn.
Don't be so sneaky about things, be more open and upfront.

Tips

grammar
偷偷摸摸 follows the AABB reduplication pattern common in Chinese adjectives/adverbs. It can be used as an adjective (偷偷摸摸行为, sneaky behavior) or adverb (偷偷摸摸, to walk sneakily).
usage
偷偷摸摸 always carries a negative connotation, implying dishonesty or guilt. The shorter form 偷偷 is more neutral and just means 'secretly.'

Stroke Order

tōu