This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 adverb 12 min read

偷偷

toutou

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 偷偷 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 偷偷 in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners are introduced to the basic idea of 'secretly.' You can think of 偷偷 (tōutōu) as a word used for simple, physical actions that a child might do. For example, 'secretly eating' or 'secretly looking.' At this stage, you don't need to worry about the deep cultural nuances. Just remember that it goes before the action. If you want to say you did something and didn't want your mom to see, 偷偷 is the word. It's built from the word 'steal' (偷), but when you say it twice, it becomes a way to describe how you are moving—like a little mouse. You might use it in very short sentences like 'I secretly look at him' (我偷偷看他). Focus on the 'AA' pattern where the character is repeated, which is a common way in Chinese to make a word more descriptive. It's a fun word to use because it adds a bit of a story to even the simplest sentence. Just remember: Subject + 偷偷 + Action. That's all you need to start using it effectively at this beginner level.

By the A2 level, you should start to differentiate 偷偷 from other similar words like 悄悄 (qiāoqiāo). While 悄悄 is about being 'quiet' so you don't make noise, 偷偷 is about being 'secretive' so you don't get caught. At A2, you can use 偷偷 with a wider range of verbs, including those that involve moving from one place to another, like 'secretly leaving' (偷偷走) or 'secretly coming' (偷偷来). You might also start to see it in simple stories or dialogues about daily life. For instance, a student might 偷偷 use their phone in class. Notice that the particle '地' (de) can be added (偷偷地), but it's not always necessary. You should practice using it to describe small 'rule-breaking' moments that are part of everyday life. This helps you move beyond basic 'Subject-Verb-Object' sentences and starts to add 'manner' to your Chinese, making your descriptions much more interesting and vivid for the listener.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 偷偷 to describe not just physical actions, but also emotions and psychological states. This is where the word becomes really powerful. You can use it to talk about 'secretly liking' someone (偷偷喜欢) or 'secretly worrying' about something (偷偷担心). This level of usage allows you to express things that are happening 'under the surface.' You should also be comfortable with the structure '瞒着 (someone) 偷偷 (do something),' which means to do something behind someone's back. This is a very common social expression in Chinese. At B1, you should also be able to recognize 偷偷 in more varied contexts, such as in Mandopop lyrics or in TV shows where characters are hiding their true intentions. You are moving from the 'what' of an action to the 'how' and 'why,' using 偷偷 to provide context about a person's motivations and their desire for privacy or discretion in a social setting.

For B2 learners, 偷偷 becomes a tool for nuanced storytelling and social commentary. You should be able to use it to describe complex social maneuvers or historical events where things were done 'on the sly' to avoid political or social repercussions. At this level, you should also be aware of the four-character idiom 偷偷摸摸 (tōutōu mōmō), which adds a derogatory tone, implying that the stealthy action is shameful or suspicious. You can compare 偷偷 with more formal synonyms like 私自 (sīzì - without authorization) or 擅自 (shànzì - taking the liberty to). Understanding when to use the neutral 偷偷 versus the formal 私自 is a hallmark of B2 proficiency. You should also be able to use 偷偷 in written Chinese to create atmosphere, such as describing how 'time secretly slips away' (时间偷偷溜走) or how 'spring secretly arrived' (春天偷偷地来了). This metaphorical use of the word adds a literary quality to your writing and speaking, showing a deep grasp of how Chinese adverbs function.

At the C1 level, your understanding of 偷偷 should include its role in character development and psychological depth in literature. You should be able to analyze why an author chose 偷偷 over other adverbs to describe a character's behavior. Does it imply a sense of guilt, a sense of playfulness, or a strategic necessity? You should also be able to use 偷偷 in highly specific professional or academic contexts where 'discretion' is required, though you would more often use its formal counterparts in writing. However, in sophisticated conversation, using 偷偷 can add a layer of relatability or 'human-ness' to a story. You should also be familiar with how 偷偷 interacts with different sentence structures, including complex resultative and directional complements. Your use of the word should be effortless, knowing exactly when the '地' (de) is needed for rhythmic balance in a sentence and when it should be omitted for a punchier, more direct effect. You are now using the word not just to communicate a fact, but to evoke a specific feeling or subtext.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 偷偷 and its entire semantic field. You can use it to discuss the philosophical implications of 'the hidden' in Chinese culture and literature. You understand the historical evolution of the character 偷 and how its reduplication into 偷偷 reflects broader patterns in the development of the Chinese language. In high-level debates or literary analysis, you can contrast 偷偷 with archaic or highly formal terms for secrecy found in classical Chinese. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker, including the ability to use it with perfect timing in jokes, sarcasm, or poetic descriptions. You can also identify the regional variations in how 偷偷 might be used or substituted in different Chinese dialects. At this pinnacle of learning, 偷偷 is no longer just a vocabulary word; it is a versatile brushstroke that you use to paint complex pictures of human nature, social dynamics, and the hidden currents of life with absolute precision and cultural sensitivity.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

偷偷 in 30 Seconds

偷偷 (tōutōu) is a common Chinese adverb meaning 'secretly' or 'stealthily.' It is used before a verb to describe actions done without being noticed.
The word is formed by doubling the character 偷 (steal), which emphasizes the sneaky manner of the action rather than actual theft in most contexts.
It is versatile, used for everything from children sneaking candy to adults hiding emotions or planning surprises for friends and loved ones.
Grammatically, it usually sits between the subject and the verb. While 偷偷地 is also correct, the '地' is often omitted in casual conversation.

The Chinese adverb 偷偷 (tōutōu) is a foundational piece of vocabulary for intermediate learners, serving as the primary way to describe actions performed in a stealthy, secretive, or clandestine manner. At its core, the word is a reduplication of the character 偷 (tōu), which as a standalone verb means 'to steal.' However, when doubled into 偷偷, the meaning shifts from the act of theft to the manner in which an action is performed—emulating the quiet, cautious, and hidden movements of a thief to avoid detection. This transformation is a classic example of Chinese morphology where reduplication intensifies the descriptive quality of an adverb, adding a layer of vividness to the narrative. People use 偷偷 in a wide variety of social contexts, ranging from harmless mischief to serious deception, or even tender, private moments that one wishes to keep away from the public eye.

Core Concept: The essence of 偷偷 lies in the avoidance of notice. It describes an intentional effort to remain unseen or unheard while performing a specific task. Unlike 'quietly' (悄悄), which focuses purely on sound, 偷偷 implies a level of secrecy or even a slight breach of rules or expectations.

他偷偷地看了她一眼，怕被别人发现。(He stealthily took a glance at her, afraid of being discovered by others.)

In daily conversation, you will hear 偷偷 used to describe children sneaking snacks, employees checking their phones during meetings, or lovers exchanging secret glances. It is not inherently negative; for instance, one might 偷偷 prepare a surprise party for a friend. The 'secret' element is what defines it. Linguistically, it functions as an adverbial adjunct, almost always appearing directly before the verb it modifies. While the particle 地 (de) can be added to form 偷偷地, it is frequently omitted in casual speech without changing the meaning. This flexibility makes it one of the most versatile adverbs in the Chinese language for adding descriptive depth to human behavior and intentions.

Social Nuance: In Chinese culture, 偷偷 can reflect the value of modesty or the desire to avoid 'losing face.' Sometimes, people do things 偷偷 not because they are doing something wrong, but because they don't want to draw unnecessary attention to themselves or create a social obligation for others.

我偷偷把账单付了，不想让他觉得尴尬。(I secretly paid the bill; I didn't want him to feel awkward.)

Understanding 偷偷 also requires distinguishing it from its synonyms. While 悄悄 (qiāoqiāo) emphasizes silence, 偷偷 emphasizes the 'hidden' nature of the act. You can 悄悄 leave a room just by being quiet, but if you 偷偷 leave, it implies you don't want anyone to know you've gone. This nuance is vital for B1 learners as they move toward more expressive and precise communication. Mastery of 偷偷 allows a speaker to paint a picture of the subject's internal state—their nervousness, their playfulness, or their calculated discretion. It is a word that breathes life into stories, making the listener wonder *why* the action had to be kept a secret.

猫偷偷爬上了餐桌。(The cat stealthily climbed onto the dining table.)

Using 偷偷 (tōutōu) correctly involves understanding its grammatical placement and the types of verbs it typically modifies. As an adverb, its primary home is right before the verb. The structure follows the standard Chinese adverbial pattern: Subject + 偷偷 + (地) + Verb + Object. While the particle 地 is optional, including it can sometimes add a formal or literary touch, especially in written narratives. However, in spoken Mandarin, the 'de' is frequently dropped for brevity and flow. It is important to note that 偷偷 cannot function as a standalone verb; you cannot '偷偷' someone, but you can 偷偷 look at someone or 偷偷 take something.

Placement Rule: Always place 偷偷 after the subject and before the verb. If there is an auxiliary verb like 想 (xiǎng - want to) or 会 (huì - will), 偷偷 usually comes after the auxiliary verb but before the main action verb, though this can vary slightly based on emphasis.

他偷偷拿走了我的笔。(He secretly took away my pen.)

The verbs that pair with 偷偷 are often related to the five senses (looking, listening) or physical movement (going, coming, taking). Common pairings include 偷偷看 (peek), 偷偷听 (eavesdrop), 偷偷笑 (chuckle to oneself), and 偷偷走 (slip away). Beyond physical actions, 偷偷 is also used with psychological verbs to describe hidden emotions or thoughts. For example, 偷偷喜欢 (secretly like/crush on) or 偷偷担心 (secretly worry). This usage allows learners to express complex internal states that aren't immediately visible to others, which is a key skill at the CEFR B1 level and beyond.

Common Verb Pairings: 1. 偷偷看 (tōutōu kàn) - to peek/glance secretly.
2. 偷偷哭 (tōutōu kū) - to cry in secret.
3. 偷偷做 (tōutōu zuò) - to do something on the sly.
4. 偷偷摸摸 (tōutōu mōmō) - an idiom meaning to act furtively (often with negative connotations).

他在开会时偷偷玩手机。(He was secretly playing on his phone during the meeting.)

Another interesting aspect of 偷偷 is its use in the construction '瞒着...偷偷...' (mānzhe... tōutōu...), which means 'to do something secretly behind someone's back.' For example, '他瞒着父母偷偷买了摩托车' (He secretly bought a motorcycle behind his parents' backs). This structure is incredibly common in storytelling and everyday gossip. By mastering this pattern, you can describe relational dynamics and the tension between public behavior and private actions. Remember that 偷偷 implies a sense of 'intentionality'—the subject is making a conscious effort to stay under the radar, which distinguishes it from simply being quiet by accident.

我偷偷许了一个愿。(I secretly made a wish.)

The word 偷偷 (tōutōu) is ubiquitous in Chinese-speaking environments, appearing in everything from high-stakes drama scripts to the mundane chatter of a grocery store aisle. If you are watching a Chinese TV drama (C-Drama), you will inevitably hear it during scenes involving romance or intrigue. It is the go-to word for describing a character's secret crush or a spy's covert operations. In these contexts, the word carries a weight of suspense or emotional intimacy. For example, a protagonist might say, '我一直在偷偷关注你' (I have been secretly paying attention to you), revealing a long-held hidden affection that drives the plot forward.

In Pop Culture: Lyrics in Mandopop are filled with 偷偷. Songs often dwell on the themes of 'secret love' (偷偷爱着你) or 'secretly crying' (偷偷流泪). These songs use the word to evoke a sense of vulnerability and the bittersweet nature of unexpressed feelings, making it a very emotive term in the musical landscape.

这首歌唱出了那些偷偷暗恋的人的心声。(This song expresses the inner voice of those who are secretly crushing on someone.)

In a family setting, parents frequently use 偷偷 to talk about their children's behavior. You might hear a mother tell a father, '孩子偷偷把糖果藏起来了' (The child secretly hid the candy). Here, the word is used somewhat playfully or with mild disciplinary intent. It highlights the universal human experience of children trying to bypass parental rules. Similarly, in an office environment, colleagues might whisper about someone '偷偷找新工作' (secretly looking for a new job). In this professional context, 偷偷 carries a sense of strategic discretion, where revealing the action prematurely could have negative consequences for the individual's current employment.

News and Literature: In news reports, 偷偷 might describe illegal activities, such as '偷偷排污' (secretly discharging pollutants). In literature, authors use it to provide insight into a character's private world, describing actions that the character would never perform in the presence of others, thus revealing their 'true' self.

有些工厂在深夜偷偷向河里排放废水。(Some factories secretly discharge wastewater into the river late at night.)

Finally, you will encounter 偷偷 in the digital world—social media captions, blog posts, and memes. Influencers might post a photo with the caption '偷偷变美' (Secretly becoming more beautiful), implying they are working on themselves or using a new product away from the limelight. This modern usage often leans into the 'glow-up' culture, where the process is hidden but the results are public. Whether it's the high drama of a palace intrigue or the simple act of a cat sneaking food, 偷偷 is the essential linguistic tool for describing anything that happens in the shadows of public awareness.

他偷偷地为灾区捐了一大笔钱。(He secretly donated a large sum of money to the disaster area.)

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using 偷偷 (tōutōu) is confusing it with the verb 偷 (tōu). While 偷 means 'to steal' (an object), 偷偷 is an adverb describing 'how' an action is done. You cannot say '他偷偷了我的钱包' (He secretly my wallet); you must say '他偷了我的钱包' (He stole my wallet) or '他偷偷地拿走了我的钱包' (He secretly took away my wallet). The distinction is between the *action* of theft and the *manner* of secrecy. This is a subtle but crucial difference that separates beginner learners from those at the B1 level.

Mistake #1: Confusing Adverb with Verb: Incorrect: 我偷偷他的照片。 (I secretly his photo.)
Correct: 我偷偷拍了他的照片。 (I secretly took a photo of him.)
Reasoning: 偷偷 needs a verb to modify.

别偷偷摸摸的，有什么话就直说。(Don't act furtively; if you have something to say, say it directly.)

Another common mistake is the confusion between 偷偷 and 悄悄 (qiāoqiāo). While they are often interchangeable in contexts of 'doing something without being noticed,' they focus on different aspects. 悄悄 literally means 'quietly'—it is about the absence of sound. 偷偷 is about the absence of 'permission' or 'visibility.' If you are walking quietly because the baby is sleeping, use 悄悄. If you are walking quietly because you are sneaking out past your curfew, use 偷偷. Using the wrong one can change the tone of your sentence from 'considerate' to 'suspicious.'

Mistake #2: Word Order: Incorrect: 他走了偷偷。 (He left secretly.)
Correct: 他偷偷地走了。 (He secretly left.)
Reasoning: Adverbs in Chinese almost always precede the verb.

不要偷偷看别人的日记。(Don't secretly read other people's diaries.)

Learners also sometimes forget that 偷偷 is a reduplicated word. While you might see 偷 used as an adverb in very specific, informal, or older contexts (like '偷看'), in modern standard Mandarin, the reduplicated form 偷偷 is much more common and natural for describing a continuous or intentional state of stealth. Using just '偷' as an adverb can sound incomplete or overly aggressive. Furthermore, be careful not to use 偷偷 for actions that are naturally public. You wouldn't '偷偷' give a speech at a podium unless you were an uninvited guest crashing the event. The action must be capable of being hidden for 偷偷 to make sense.

Mistake #3: Overusing '地' (de): While '偷偷地' is correct, overusing the particle '地' in every single sentence can make your speech sound robotic or like a textbook. Native speakers often drop it: '他偷偷走了' sounds more fluid than '他偷偷地走了' in casual conversation.

趁他不注意，我偷偷溜了出去。(While he wasn't paying attention, I secretly slipped out.)

In the rich tapestry of Chinese adverbs, 偷偷 (tōutōu) shares its space with several other words that describe secrecy and quietude. Understanding the subtle differences between these alternatives is key to achieving native-like fluency. The most common alternative is 悄悄 (qiāoqiāo). As mentioned previously, 悄悄 focuses on the lack of sound. You use 悄悄 when you want to be quiet to avoid disturbing someone, whereas you use 偷偷 when you want to avoid being caught or seen. Another close relative is 暗暗 (àn'àn), which translates to 'inwardly' or 'to oneself.' While 偷偷 describes an external action done hiddenly, 暗暗 describes an internal feeling or thought that is not shared with others, such as '暗暗发誓' (to secretly vow to oneself).

偷偷 vs. 悄悄 (Stealth vs. Silence): 偷偷: Emphasis on deception or hiding an action. (e.g., 偷偷看 - peek).
悄悄: Emphasis on being quiet/noiseless. (e.g., 悄悄走 - walk quietly).

他暗暗下定决心，一定要努力学习。(He secretly/inwardly made up his mind that he must study hard.)

For more formal or literary contexts, you might encounter 私自 (sīzì) or 擅自 (shànzì). These words carry a stronger sense of 'unauthorized' or 'without permission.' While 偷偷 can be used for harmless things like 偷偷吃零食 (secretly eating snacks), 私自 is used for serious breaches of rules, like '私自离开岗位' (leaving one's post without permission). 擅自 is even stronger, often used in legal or official warnings to mean 'taking it upon oneself to do something prohibited.' If you use 偷偷 in these cases, it might sound too casual or lighthearted for the gravity of the situation.

Advanced Alternatives: 1. 窃窃 (qièqiè): Usually used for whispering (窃窃私语).
2. 潜 (qián): A prefix/verb meaning to submerge or hide (潜伏 - to hide/lurk).
3. 瞒 (mán): To hide the truth from someone (瞒着 - doing something behind someone's back).

你不该擅自动用这笔钱。(You should not have used this money without authorization.)

Finally, there is the four-character idiom (chengyu) 偷偷摸摸 (tōutōu mōmō). While 偷偷 is a neutral adverb, 偷偷摸摸 is almost always derogatory. It describes someone acting in a 'shady' or 'sneaky' way that suggests they are up to no good. If you say someone is 偷偷地走, you are just describing their movement. If you say they are 偷偷摸摸地走, you are implying they look like a criminal or are doing something shameful. Choosing between these depends entirely on the level of judgment you wish to convey. For B1 learners, sticking to 偷偷 for most descriptions is safer, while recognizing 偷偷摸摸 in stories will help you understand the author's attitude toward a character.

他们在那儿偷偷摸摸地商量什么呢？(What are they sneakily discussing over there?)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Even though 偷偷 means 'secretly,' the character 偷 on its own is often used in modern slang to mean 'to take a moment to do something,' like 偷闲 (tōuxián - to snatch a moment of leisure).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /təʊ təʊ/

US /toʊ toʊ/

In Mandarin, both syllables carry equal weight as they are both 1st tone, but the second syllable can sometimes be slightly shorter in rapid speech.

Rhymes With

勾勾 (gōugōu) 收收 (shōushōu) 丢丢 (diūdiū) 悠悠 (yōuyōu) 休休 (xiūxiū) 优优 (yōuyōu) 啾啾 (jiūjiū) 溜溜 (liūliū)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'tǒu tǒu' (3rd tone), which can sound like 'head head' (头).
Pronouncing it as 'tòu tòu' (4th tone), which changes the meaning.
Not sustaining the high pitch of the 1st tone long enough.
Mixing it up with 'tōu' (verb) and using it as a verb.
Applying English stress patterns where one syllable is much louder than the other.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are relatively simple (both are the same), but understanding the nuance requires B1 level context.

Writing 4/5

The character '偷' has 11 strokes and a specific radical (人), requiring some practice to write correctly.

Speaking 2/5

The pronunciation (tōutōu) is easy for English speakers as it lacks difficult vowels or clusters.

Listening 3/5

In fast speech, it might blend with other syllables, but its reduplicated nature makes it recognizable.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

偷 (tōu) 看 (kàn) 走 (zǒu) 哭 (kū) 地 (de)

Learn Next

悄悄 (qiāoqiāo) 暗暗 (àn'àn) 私自 (sīzì) 瞒着 (mánzhe) 惊喜 (jīngxǐ)

Advanced

鬼鬼祟祟 (guǐguǐ suìsuì) 暗度陈仓 (àn dù chén cāng) 掩人耳目 (yǎn rén ěr mù)

Grammar to Know

Adverb Reduplication (AA Pattern)

偷偷 (secretly), 常常 (often), 仅仅 (only).

The Adverbial Particle '地' (de)

他偷偷地走了。 (The 'de' marks the preceding word as an adverb).

Word Order: Adverb before Verb

Subject + Adverb + Verb (我偷偷看他).

瞒着 (mánzhe) as a coverb

瞒着我偷偷去买车。 (Doing something while hiding it from someone).

Resultative Complements after the Verb

偷偷拿走 (Secretly take away). The adverb describes the manner of the whole action-result.

Examples by Level

我偷偷看他。

I secretly look at him.

Simple Subject + Adverb + Verb structure.

妹妹偷偷吃糖。

Little sister is secretly eating candy.

偷偷 modifies the verb 吃 (eat).

他偷偷走了。

He secretly left.

偷偷 indicates the manner of leaving.

小猫偷偷过来了。

The kitten secretly came over.

偷偷 combined with a directional verb.

不要偷偷玩手机。

Don't secretly play on your phone.

Negative command using 不要 + 偷偷.

我偷偷买了一本书。

I secretly bought a book.

偷偷 used with a completed action (了).

哥哥偷偷在笑。

Big brother is secretly laughing.

偷偷 modifying a continuous action (在笑).

他们偷偷说话。

They are talking secretly.

偷偷 used for secretive communication.

他偷偷地把东西拿走了。

He secretly took the thing away.

Use of the optional particle 地 (de).

我偷偷地写了一封信。

I secretly wrote a letter.

偷偷地 describing a creative process.

小狗偷偷吃掉了桌上的肉。

The dog secretly ate the meat on the table.

偷偷 used with a resultative verb (吃掉).

他在上课时偷偷睡觉。

He secretly sleeps during class.

Time phrase + 偷偷 + Verb.

我们偷偷给老师准备了礼物。

We secretly prepared a gift for the teacher.

偷偷 used for a positive surprise.

她偷偷看了我的日记。

She secretly read my diary.

偷偷 modifying the action of reading/looking.

爸爸偷偷抽烟。

Dad secretly smokes.

偷偷 describing a habit done in private.

我偷偷把门关上了。

I secretly closed the door.

偷偷 used in a 'ba' (把) construction.

我一直偷偷地喜欢着他。

I have been secretly liking him all along.

偷偷 modifying an emotional state (喜欢).

他瞒着父母偷偷去打工了。

He secretly went to work behind his parents' back.

The common '瞒着...偷偷...' structure.

看到他尴尬的样子，我偷偷笑了起来。

Seeing his awkward look, I started laughing secretly.

偷偷 with the '起来' (qǐlái) inchoative marker.

她偷偷擦干了眼泪，不想让人看见。

She secretly wiped away her tears, not wanting anyone to see.

偷偷 used to maintain public composure.

我偷偷在那家店里订了位子，想给她一个惊喜。

I secretly booked a table at that restaurant to give her a surprise.

偷偷 used for planning a surprise.

他在工作中偷偷学习编程。

He is secretly learning programming at work.

偷偷 modifying a long-term activity.

小王偷偷把公司的秘密告诉了竞争对手。

Xiao Wang secretly told the company's secrets to a competitor.

偷偷 used in a serious, negative context.

我偷偷观察了很久，发现他其实很努力。

I secretly observed for a long time and found that he is actually very hard-working.

偷偷 modifying the verb 观察 (observe).

他偷偷摸摸地在角落里不知道在干什么。

He is doing something sneakily in the corner, I don't know what.

Use of the idiom 偷偷摸摸 for a suspicious tone.

时间偷偷地溜走了，我们都长大了。

Time has stealthily slipped away; we have all grown up.

Metaphorical use of 偷偷 with an abstract subject.

她偷偷下定决心，一定要考上理想的大学。

She secretly made up her mind that she must get into her dream university.

偷偷 used with internal psychological decisions.

有些企业偷偷排放污水，严重污染了环境。

Some enterprises secretly discharge sewage, seriously polluting the environment.

偷偷 describing illegal or unethical corporate behavior.

他偷偷把那张照片藏在了皮夹的最底层。

He secretly hid that photo in the very bottom layer of his wallet.

偷偷 combined with the verb 藏 (hide).

我偷偷打听了一下，这次考试的通过率并不高。

I secretly inquired around; the pass rate for this exam isn't high.

偷偷 modifies the verb 打听 (inquire).

看到大家都在忙，他偷偷溜出去喝了杯咖啡。

Seeing everyone was busy, he secretly slipped out to have a cup of coffee.

偷偷 used to describe avoiding work/duty.

虽然他嘴上不说，但心里一直在偷偷支持我。

Although he doesn't say it, he has been secretly supporting me in his heart.

偷偷 modifying the abstract action of 'supporting'.

在那个动荡的年代，他偷偷保护了许多珍贵的文物。

During those turbulent years, he secretly protected many precious cultural relics.

偷偷 used in a historical/heroic context.

他偷偷转换了话题，以免触及对方的痛处。

He stealthily changed the subject to avoid touching the other person's sore spot.

偷偷 describing social tact and subtle communication.

作者在文中偷偷埋下了伏笔，直到最后才揭晓真相。

The author secretly planted foreshadowing in the text, only revealing the truth at the end.

偷偷 used in literary analysis/technique.

他偷偷观察着市场的细微变化，等待最佳的投资时机。

He is secretly observing the subtle changes in the market, waiting for the best investment opportunity.

偷偷 used for professional strategic observation.

她偷偷把自己的积蓄捐给了希望工程，没让任何人知道。

She secretly donated her savings to Project Hope without letting anyone know.

偷偷 used for selfless, humble actions.

在这个充满竞争的环境中，每个人都在偷偷较劲。

In this competitive environment, everyone is secretly competing with one another.

偷偷 used to describe social undercurrents.

他偷偷修改了代码中的一个小错误，避免了系统的崩溃。

He secretly fixed a small bug in the code, preventing the system from crashing.

偷偷 used for discrete technical intervention.

那段往事，他一直偷偷珍藏在记忆深处。

He has been secretly treasuring those past events in the depths of his memory.

偷偷 modifying the verb 珍藏 (treasure/cherish).

这种变革是偷偷发生的，起初并未引起任何人的警觉。

This transformation happened stealthily, initially without alerting anyone.

偷偷 modifying a large-scale, abstract process.

他在作品中偷偷解构了传统价值体系，引发了学术界的广泛讨论。

He stealthily deconstructed the traditional value system in his work, sparking extensive academic discussion.

偷偷 used for high-level intellectual/philosophical actions.

命运偷偷地为他安排了另一条道路，而他当时浑然不觉。

Fate had stealthily arranged another path for him, and he was completely unaware at the time.

Personification of fate using 偷偷.

他偷偷挪用了公款，试图填补自己生意的亏空。

He secretly embezzled public funds, attempting to fill the deficit in his own business.

偷偷 used for serious criminal/financial misconduct.

这种情绪在人群中偷偷蔓延，最终演变成了一场风暴。

This emotion spread stealthily through the crowd, eventually evolving into a storm.

偷偷 used to describe the spread of social phenomena.

他偷偷地在协议中加入了一个免责条款，而对方并未察觉。

He stealthily added an exemption clause to the agreement, which the other party did not notice.

偷偷 used for sophisticated legal deception.

月光偷偷溜进窗户，洒在熟睡的孩子脸上。

The moonlight stealthily slipped through the window, sprinkling on the sleeping child's face.

Highly poetic/literary use of 偷偷.

他偷偷利用职务之便，为家族成员谋取私利。

He stealthily took advantage of his position to seek personal gain for his family members.

偷偷 used in the context of corruption and nepotism.

Common Collocations

偷偷看

偷偷哭

偷偷笑

偷偷溜走

偷偷喜欢

偷偷观察

偷偷藏起来

偷偷打听

偷偷准备

偷偷摸摸

Common Phrases

偷偷地

— The adverbial form with 'de'. It emphasizes the manner of the action.

他偷偷地离开了。

瞒着...偷偷...

— Doing something secretly behind someone's back. Very common structure.

他瞒着妻子偷偷存了钱。

偷偷溜进去

— To sneak into a place without being noticed.

他偷偷溜进了电影院。

偷偷拿走

— To take something secretly (not necessarily stealing).

谁偷偷拿走了我的书？

偷偷看一眼

— To steal a glance or take a quick peek.

我偷偷看了一眼他的日记。

偷偷告诉

— To tell someone something in secret or confidence.

我偷偷告诉你一个秘密。

偷偷做事

— To do things on the sly or without informing others.

他总喜欢偷偷做事。

偷偷跑出来

— To sneak out of a place (like a house or room).

半夜他偷偷跑了出来。

偷偷许愿

— To make a secret wish (e.g., on a birthday).

吹蜡烛时，我偷偷许了个愿。

偷偷流泪

— To shed tears in private or secretly.

她转过身去，偷偷流泪。

Often Confused With

偷偷 vs 悄悄 (qiāoqiāo)

悄悄 focuses on the absence of sound, while 偷偷 focuses on the intent to hide the action.

偷偷 vs 暗暗 (àn'àn)

暗暗 is used for internal thoughts and feelings, while 偷偷 is used for external actions (though it can be used for feelings too).

偷偷 vs 偷 (tōu)

偷 is the verb 'to steal.' 偷偷 is the adverb 'secretly.' Don't use 偷偷 as a verb.

Idioms & Expressions

"偷偷摸摸"

— Acting furtively and suspiciously. Often implies someone is doing something wrong or shameful.

他在门口偷偷摸摸地干什么？

Informal/Derogatory

"鬼鬼祟祟"

— Acting in a sneaky, underhanded, or suspicious way (similar to 偷偷摸摸 but even more negative).

那个人鬼鬼祟祟的，肯定不是好人。

Informal/Negative

"掩人耳目"

— To pull the wool over people's eyes; to do something secretly to deceive others.

他这么做只是为了掩人耳目。

Formal

"瞒天过海"

— To cross the sea under a camouflage; to achieve one's goal through grand-scale deception.

他用瞒天过海的计策骗过了所有人。

Literary/Historical

"暗度陈仓"

— To do one thing overtly while actually doing another secretly (often used in strategy or romance).

表面上他在工作，实际上在暗度陈仓准备跳槽。

Literary

"私相授受"

— To give and receive things in private (usually illegal or illicit transfers).

官员之间严禁私相授受。

Formal/Legal

"神不知鬼不觉"

— Without anyone knowing; extremely secretly (lit. God doesn't know, ghosts don't perceive).

他神不知鬼不觉地把文件换了。

Neutral/Common

"明修栈道，暗度陈仓"

— Repair the gallery roads openly while marching through Chencang secretly; a strategy of distraction.

这一招明修栈道，暗度陈仓玩得很漂亮。

Literary/Strategic

"秘而不宣"

— To keep something a secret and not announce it.

这个计划目前还处于秘而不宣的状态。

Formal

"不可告人"

— Hidden/secret (usually referring to motives that are too shameful to tell others).

他有着不可告人的目的。

Negative/Formal

Easily Confused

偷偷 vs 悄悄

Both involve doing things without being noticed.

悄悄 is about silence (no noise). 偷偷 is about secrecy (avoiding detection/permission). You can 悄悄 walk into a room to not wake a baby, but you 偷偷 walk into a room to steal a cookie.

他悄悄走进房间。(He quietly entered the room.) vs 他偷偷走进房间。(He secretly/sneakily entered the room.)

偷偷 vs 暗暗

Both mean doing something that others don't know about.

暗暗 is almost always internal (mental/emotional). 偷偷 is usually external (physical actions), though it can describe hidden feelings too. You '暗暗' make a decision, but you '偷偷' buy a gift.

我暗暗下决心。(I inwardly decided.) vs 我偷偷下楼。(I secretly went downstairs.)

偷偷 vs 私自

Both involve doing something without others knowing.

私自 is formal and implies a violation of rules or authority. 偷偷 is neutral and can be used for harmless or even good things. You wouldn't say a child '私自' ate a candy; you'd say '偷偷'.

他私自挪用公款。(He embezzled funds without authorization.)

偷偷 vs 擅自

Both involve acting without permission.

擅自 is much stronger and more formal than 偷偷. It is used in legal contexts or serious warnings. It implies taking an unauthorized liberty.

严禁擅自入内。(Unauthorized entry is strictly prohibited.)

偷偷 vs 背地里

Both involve actions away from someone's presence.

背地里 is an adverbial phrase meaning 'behind someone's back.' It often has a negative connotation of betrayal or gossip. 偷偷 is just the manner of the action.

他在背地里笑话我。(He laughed at me behind my back.)

Sentence Patterns

Subject + 偷偷 + Verb

他偷偷看我。

Subject + 偷偷 + Verb + 了

我偷偷吃了一个苹果。

Subject + 瞒着 + Person + 偷偷 + Verb

他瞒着老师偷偷玩手机。

Subject + 一直 + 偷偷 + Verb + 着 + Object

她一直偷偷关注着他。

Subject + 趁 + Time/Situation + 偷偷 + Verb

我趁他不注意偷偷溜走了。

Subject + 偷偷地 + Verb + Resultative

他偷偷地把东西藏好了。

Abstract Subject + 偷偷地 + Verb

时间偷偷地溜走了。

Subject + 偷偷摸摸地 + Verb

他偷偷摸摸地在后面跟着我。

Word Family

Verbs

偷 (tōu) - to steal

小偷 (xiǎotōu) - thief

偷看 (tōukàn) - to peek

偷听 (tōutīng) - to eavesdrop

偷懒 (tōulǎn) - to be lazy/shirk work

偷笑 (tōuxiào) - to chuckle secretly

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily life, literature, and media.

Common Mistakes

Using 偷偷 as a verb (e.g., 我偷偷他的书). → 我偷偷拿走了他的书。(I secretly took his book.)
偷偷 is an adverb and must modify a verb. It cannot stand alone as the action itself. If you mean 'steal,' use the verb 偷.
Confusing 偷偷 with 悄悄 in noisy contexts. → 他悄悄地关上了门，怕吵醒孩子。(He quietly closed the door, afraid to wake the baby.)
If the goal is purely to avoid making noise, 悄悄 is the better choice. 偷偷 implies you are hiding the action from someone's knowledge.
Placing 偷偷 after the verb (e.g., 他走了偷偷). → 他偷偷走了。(He secretly left.)
In Chinese, adverbs almost always precede the verb they modify. This is a fundamental rule of word order.
Using 偷偷 for public, obvious actions. → 他大方地走上讲台。(He walked onto the podium confidently.)
偷偷 requires that the action *can* be hidden. You wouldn't '偷偷' give a public speech unless there was a very specific reason to hide it.
Using 偷偷摸摸 to describe a friend's surprise. → 他偷偷地为我准备了惊喜。(He secretly prepared a surprise for me.)
偷偷摸摸 has a negative, 'shady' connotation. Using it for a nice surprise sounds like the friend was doing something wrong.

Tips

Adverb Placement

Remember that 偷偷 always comes before the verb. In English, we can say 'He left secretly' or 'Secretly, he left,' but in Chinese, it must be 'He secretly left' (他偷偷走了).

偷偷 vs 悄悄

If you are doing something 'naughty' or 'private,' use 偷偷. If you are just trying to be 'quiet,' use 悄悄. This distinction will make your Chinese sound much more native.

Omit the '地'

In casual conversation, don't worry about adding the particle 地. '他偷偷看我' is perfectly natural and even more common than '他偷偷地看我' in daily life.

Secret Generosity

Use 偷偷 to describe polite social actions, like '偷偷付账' (secretly paying the bill). This shows an understanding of Chinese social etiquette where avoiding a public struggle over the check is considered virtuous.

The Toe-Toe Walk

Associate 'tōu' with 'toe.' When you are 偷偷, you are walking on your toes to remain hidden. This simple sound-link will help you remember the pronunciation and the meaning.

Radical Awareness

The radical in 偷 is 亻 (person). This reminds you that 偷偷 describes a human behavior or manner of acting.

Tone Consistency

Since both tones are the same (1st tone), try to keep your voice at the same high pitch for both syllables. This 'double high' sound is very distinctive in Mandarin.

Contextual Cues

When you hear 偷偷, look for the verb that follows. That verb is the 'secret' action. This will help you quickly grasp the main point of the sentence.

Avoid 偷偷摸摸

Unless you are accusing someone of being shady or criminal, avoid the idiom 偷偷摸摸. It's much safer to use the neutral 偷偷 for general descriptions.

Personification

In your writing, try using 偷偷 with non-human subjects like 'the sun' or 'the wind' to create a poetic effect, e.g., '太阳偷偷地爬上了地平线' (The sun stealthily climbed over the horizon).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a thief (偷) who is so careful he has to double (偷偷) his efforts to remain quiet. He walks on his toes (sounds like 'toe') to make sure no one hears him.

Visual Association

Picture a person wearing a black mask (like a cartoon thief) but instead of stealing a bag of money, they are just secretly eating a piece of cake in the kitchen at midnight.

Word Web

偷偷 (Secretly) 偷看 (Peek) 偷听 (Eavesdrop) 偷笑 (Chuckle) 偷走 (Slip away) 小偷 (Thief) 偷懒 (Slacking) 偷偷摸摸 (Sneaky)

Challenge

Try to use 偷偷 in three different sentences today: one about a physical action, one about a feeling, and one about a surprise you are planning.

Word Origin

The character 偷 (tōu) originally meant 'to evade' or 'to be negligent.' Over time, it evolved to mean 'to steal' (taking something by evading notice). The reduplicated form 偷偷 appeared later in Chinese linguistic history as a way to turn the verb into a descriptive adverb, a common feature in Sinitic languages to add vividness.

Original meaning: Negligence or evasion of duty, leading to the modern sense of 'stealth' or 'theft.'

Sino-Tibetan -> Sinitic -> Mandarin.

Cultural Context

Be careful not to use 偷偷摸摸 (the idiom) for someone you like, as it is quite insulting. Stick to 偷偷 for neutral or positive descriptions.

In English, 'secretly' is neutral, but 'on the sly' can be negative. 偷偷 covers both, depending on the verb it modifies.

The song '偷偷的' (Secretly) by the band Magic Power. The movie '偷偷爱你' (Secretly Loving You) starring Tony Leung. Common tropes in Wuxia novels where characters 偷偷 practice forbidden martial arts.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Family/Home

偷偷吃零食 (secretly eat snacks)
偷偷玩游戏 (secretly play games)
偷偷看电视 (secretly watch TV)
偷偷藏钱 (secretly hide money)

Workplace

偷偷找工作 (secretly look for a job)
偷偷刷社交媒体 (secretly browse social media)
偷偷早退 (secretly leave early)
偷偷谈论老板 (secretly talk about the boss)

Romance

偷偷喜欢你 (secretly like you)
偷偷看她 (secretly look at her)
偷偷送礼物 (secretly give a gift)
偷偷牵手 (secretly hold hands)

Crime/Suspicion

偷偷溜进来 (sneak in)
偷偷拿走东西 (secretly take things)
偷偷观察 (secretly observe)
偷偷摸摸的行为 (sneaky behavior)

Emotions

偷偷流泪 (secretly cry)
偷偷开心 (secretly be happy)
偷偷担心 (secretly worry)
偷偷下决心 (secretly make a decision)

Conversation Starters

"你小时候有没有偷偷做过什么调皮的事？ (Did you do anything naughty secretly when you were a kid?)"

"你有没有偷偷喜欢过一个人很久？ (Have you ever secretly liked someone for a long time?)"

"你觉得在办公室里偷偷玩手机会被发现吗？ (Do you think playing on your phone secretly in the office will be discovered?)"

"你曾经偷偷给谁准备过惊喜吗？ (Have you ever secretly prepared a surprise for someone?)"

"如果你看到同事在偷偷找新工作，你会告诉老板吗？ (If you saw a colleague secretly looking for a new job, would you tell the boss?)"

Journal Prompts

写一件你曾经偷偷做过的好事，以及你当时的心情。 (Write about a good deed you once did secretly and how you felt at the time.)

描述一次你偷偷观察别人的经历，你发现了什么？ (Describe an experience where you secretly observed someone. What did you find?)

如果你可以偷偷去一个地方旅行而不让任何人知道，你会去哪里？ (If you could secretly travel to a place without anyone knowing, where would you go?)

谈谈你对“偷偷喜欢一个人”这种情感的看法。 (Talk about your views on the feeling of 'secretly liking someone.')

记述一次你瞒着父母偷偷做的决定，结果如何？ (Record a decision you made secretly behind your parents' back. What was the result?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 偷偷 is an adverb. You cannot say 'He 偷偷 me.' You must use it with an action verb, like 'He 偷偷 watched me' (他偷偷看我). If you want to say 'steal,' use the single character verb 偷 (tōu).

There is no significant difference in meaning. Adding '地' (de) makes it a more formal adverbial form, often used in written Chinese. In spoken Chinese, '地' is frequently omitted for a more natural flow. Both are grammatically correct.

Not at all! While it can be used for negative things like cheating or lying, it is also used for positive things like planning a surprise party, doing a secret good deed, or having a harmless crush on someone. The context determines the tone.

The most common pattern is '瞒着 (person) 偷偷 (action).' For example, '瞒着老师偷偷玩手机' means 'playing on the phone secretly behind the teacher's back.'

Yes! It is very common to say '偷偷喜欢' (secretly like) or '偷偷担心' (secretly worry). This describes an internal state that you are keeping hidden from others.

In Chinese, reduplicating a character often turns it into a descriptive adverb. While '偷看' (peek) exists as a compound verb, using '偷偷' makes the description of the 'stealth' more vivid and emphasizes the continuous manner of the action.

No. 偷偷摸摸 is a four-character idiom (chengyu) that is almost always negative. It implies that someone is acting in a shady, suspicious, or dishonest way. 偷偷 is a neutral adverb describing the manner of secrecy.

Technically, 偷偷 implies you don't want to be noticed, which often includes being quiet. However, if your *only* goal is to be quiet (like not waking a baby), 悄悄 (qiāoqiāo) is more accurate. 偷偷 implies you are hiding the *fact* of the action.

It is generally considered a B1 (Intermediate) level word. While the concept is simple, using it correctly in social and psychological contexts requires an intermediate grasp of Chinese grammar and nuance.

Both characters are in the 1st tone (tōu). It should sound high and level, like a sustained musical note. Avoid dropping the tone at the end, which is a common mistake for English speakers.