Rule reminder

Emphatic reduplication (raddoppiamento espressivo) involves repeating a word to intensify its meaning. Common patterns: 'Piano piano' (very slowly / little by little), 'Bello bello' (really nice / nice and pretty), 'Poco poco' (very little), 'Lentamente lentamente' (very slowly), 'Appena appena' (just barely), 'Su su' / 'Dai dai' (come on!). Reduplication can affect adjectives, adverbs, and some verbs. The resulting meaning is intensification, gradualness, or affectionate diminishment. Common in spoken Italian and regional varieties.