Verb reduplication — saying the verb twice to soften it

• AA
  看看, 试试, 想想 — one-syllable verbs.
• A 一 A
  看一看, 试一试 — slightly more leisurely.
• ABAB
  休息休息, 讨论讨论 — two-syllable verbs repeat as a block.

Doubling a verb shrinks the action: 看 is "look", 看看 is "have a quick look". Because a small action asks less of the listener, this is also the standard politeness device — 你看看这个。 is an invitation where 你看这个。 is an instruction.

One-syllable verbs double directly (看看, 试试, 等等) and the second syllable is unstressed, often neutral tone. Inserting 一 — 看一看 — is a touch more relaxed. In the past, 了 goes in the middle: 我看了看。 (I had a quick look.)

Two-syllable verbs repeat as a whole block: 休息休息, 讨论讨论, 介绍介绍. Never 休休息息.

Not every verb can do this. The action has to be something you can do a bit of, so verbs of state or achievement resist it: not 是是, 有有, 死死, 知道知道. And it does not combine with progressive 在 — a brief sample cannot be ongoing.

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What does it mean when a Chinese verb is repeated?

It makes the action brief and casual, and by extension polite: 看看 is "have a quick look", 试试 is "give it a go", 休息休息 is "take a little break". It is the most natural way to soften a request.

How do you reduplicate a two-syllable verb?

Repeat the whole word: 休息休息, 讨论讨论, 介绍介绍. Splitting the syllables (休休息息) is wrong. One-syllable verbs simply double: 看看, 想想, 等等.

What is the difference between 看看 and 看一看?

Almost none. 看一看 is very slightly more leisurely and a touch more formal-sounding; 看看 is the everyday form. In the past tense, 了 goes in the middle: 看了看.

Which verbs cannot be reduplicated?

Verbs that describe states or instantaneous results rather than activities: 是, 有, 知道, 死, 认识. You cannot do a small amount of "being" or "knowing".