来
lái
To come
想来想去 (xiǎng lái xiǎng qù) — after repeated attempts
X来 (lái) X去 (qù)，都是 (dōu shì)…… / X来 (lái) X去 (qù)，就是 (jiù shì)……
HSK 53.0
Pattern diagram
Verb来Verb去，都是就是Result
Rule structure
The pattern “X来 (lái)X去 (qù)” describes repeated going back and forth, trying over and over, or sorting through options. After it, 都是 (dū shì) gives a general conclusion, while 就是 (jiù shì) singles out the one result.
Rule structure
The pattern “X来 (lái)X去 (qù)” describes repeated going back and forth, trying over and over, or sorting through options. After it, 都是 (dū shì) gives a general conclusion, while 就是 (jiù shì) singles out the one result.
Examples
想来想去，都是他的错。
Xiǎng lái xiǎng qù, dōu shì tā de cuò.
However much you think it over, it’s all his fault.
Examples
想来想去，都是他的错。
Xiǎng lái xiǎng qù, dōu shì tā de cuò.
However much you think it over, it’s all his fault.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “after repeated attempts” in Chinese with 想来想去?
Use the structure: X来 (lái) X去 (qù)，都是 (dōu shì)…… / X来 (lái) X去 (qù)，就是 (jiù shì)……. For example: 想来想去，都是他的错。 — “However much you think it over, it’s all his fault”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
想来想去，都是他的错。 — “However much you think it over, it’s all his fault”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 5.
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More HSK 3.0 Level 5 grammar rules
不得了 — oh no, an extreme situation
不得了 (bùdéliǎo)! (+ Situation)
着 — while doing, something happened
Verb (A) + 着 (zhe) + Verb (A) + 着 (zhe), ...
没 — paired absence with 没A没B
没 (méi) + A + 没 (méi) + B
说 — doing it at once: 说A就A
说 (shuō) + Verb (A) + 就 (jiù) + Verb (A)
用不着 — no need to
Subject + 用不着 (yòngbuzháo) + Verb/Noun
的 — different people doing different things
A + 的 (de) + A，B + 的 (de) + B
不 — might as well, no reason not to
不 (bù) + Verb + 白 (bái) + 不 (bù) + Verb
是它 — whether it's good or bad
X + 是 (shì) + 它 (tā)，Y + 也 (yě) + 是 (shì) + 它 (tā)