老老实实

老老實實

lǎolǎoshíshí

adverb #11,317

Meanings

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.

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