老老实实

老老實實

lǎolǎoshíshí

adverb #11,317

Meanings

HSK 3

你老老实实告诉我，到底怎么回事。

Nǐ lǎolǎoshíshí gàosu wǒ, dàodǐ zěnme huíshì.

Tell me honestly, what exactly happened.

HSK 3

他老老实实地坐在那里等着。

Tā lǎolǎoshíshí de zuò zài nàlǐ děng zhe.

He sat there obediently waiting.

grammar

AABB reduplication of 老实 (honest). This pattern intensifies adjectives: 干干净净 (squeaky clean), 高高兴兴 (happily), 清清楚楚 (crystal clear).

usage

老老实实 often implies doing something without tricks or shortcuts: 老老实实做人 (be an upright person), 老老实实干活 (work diligently).

老 lǎo

实 shí