补补

補補

bǔbu

verb #22,083

Meanings

1 to patch up a bit
2 to mend slightly
3 to touch up

Characters

to patch, to mend, to supplement

(reduplicated, unstressed — softens the action)

Examples

这件衣服破了，补补还能穿。

Zhè jiàn yīfu pò le, bǔbu hái néng chuān.

This garment is torn — patch it up a bit and it can still be worn.

脸上的妆花了，赶紧补补。

Liǎn shang de zhuāng huā le, gǎnjǐn bǔbu.

Your makeup has smeared — quickly touch it up.

Tips

grammar

补补 is the reduplicated form of 补, indicating a brief or casual action: 'patch up a little.' Verb reduplication in Mandarin softens the action, suggesting it is light, quick, or informal. Compare: 补一补 (same meaning, slightly more explicit).

Stroke Order

补 bǔ