白白

• Pinyin: bái bái
• Hanzi breakdown: 白 = white/empty, reduplication for emphasis

Meaning

In vain; for nothing; to no avail.

An adverb indicating that effort, time, or resources were wasted without achieving the intended result. Often expresses regret or frustration about futile expenditure.

Examples

1. 排了两个小时的队，结果白白等了，票卖完了。 We waited in line for two hours, but it was all for nothing — the tickets were sold out.
2. 他白白浪费了三年时间在一个不值得的项目上。 He wasted three years on an unworthy project for nothing.
3. 这么好的机会白白错过，太可惜了。 What a shame to let such a good opportunity slip away for nothing.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, complaint

Tone: regretful

Do Say

• 钱白白花了。(The money was spent for nothing.)
• 别让努力白白浪费。(Don't let your efforts go to waste.)

Don't Say

• 用'白白'形容有收获的经历 (Don't use 白白 for experiences that yielded results — it implies waste)

Origin & History

白 (white/empty) reduplicated. 白 alone can mean 'in vain'; reduplication intensifies.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal