HSK 7
白白
bái bái
白白 (in vain, for nothing)
Explanation
白白 (báibái) is an adverb (a word that modifies a verb) carrying a mood/tone nuance, emphasizing that an action or result happened in vain, wastefully, gaining no benefit at all.
白白 (báibái) + a verb indicating loss, usually 浪费 (làngfèi - to waste), 损失 (sǔnshī - to lose), 错过 (cuòguò - to miss), 牺牲 (xīshēng - to sacrifice).
when expressing regret or reproach because effort/money/time spent yielded nothing in return; usable in both speech and writing.
白白 emphasizes 'in vain' more strongly than the single form 白 (bái); 白 can stand alone (白跑一趟 - to make a trip for nothing), whereas 白白 usually goes with a two-syllable verb.
using 白白 with a verb denoting something useful or successful (wrong meaning); 白白 must stand before the verb, not at the end of the sentence.
Examples
She forgot to turn off the tap, wasting a lot of water for nothing.
This investment failed, causing the company to lose a great deal of money for nothing.
Practice
Test your understanding with a quick quiz
Learn “白白” effectively
The grammar point “白白” (白白 (in vain, for nothing)) is one of the key structures at HSK 7. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
You can also view the full “” lesson to understand the related grammar and vocabulary more deeply.