慢慢

mànmàn
adverb HSK 3 #1,511

Meanings

  1. 1 slowly; gradually
  2. 2 take your time; little by little

Characters

Reduplication of softens the meaning, giving a gentle 'take your time' feeling.

Examples

Mànmàn lái, bù zháojí.
Take your time, no rush.
Nǐ huì mànmàn xíguàn de.
You'll gradually get used to it.
Mànmàn zǒu, xiǎoxīn lù huá.
Walk slowly, watch out for the slippery road.

Tips

usage
慢慢来 (take it slow / take your time) is one of the most comforting phrases in Chinese. It's used constantly to reassure people — about learning, work, life decisions, everything.
grammar
慢慢 + verb is the formal adverb pattern, but in speech is often dropped: 慢慢 instead of 慢慢.

Stroke Order

màn