Definition
磕磕绊绊 (kē kē bàn bàn) is a reduplicated state word describing something uneven or unsteady. Its primary uses: (1) a bumpy or rough road surface that makes walking difficult; (2) a person walking with a limp or stumbling gait; (3) in figurative contexts, a process or period of life full of setbacks and difficulties — like 'bumpy' or 'rocky' in English. It is often used with 走 (zǒu) or 过 (guò).
v.p.
(of a road) bumpyroughfull of obstacles(of a person) limpingstumbling while walking(figurative) full of difficultiesrough (as in a phase of life or a project)
Examples
- 磕磕绊绊，。Zhè duàn shānlù kē kē bàn bàn, kāichē yào xiǎoxīn.This stretch of mountain road is bumpy — drive carefully.
- ，磕磕绊绊。Tā tuǐ shòushāng hòu, zǒulù zǒngshì kē kē bàn bàn de.After his leg was injured, he always walks with a limp.
- ，磕磕绊绊。Chuàngyè chūqī, wǒmen kē kē bàn bàn de zǒu le wǔ nián.In the early days of our startup, we trudged through five tough years.
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