Grammar Point:
偷偷 tōutōu is an adverb in Chinese that means “secretly,” “stealthily,” or “quietly without being noticed.” It describes an action that is done with the intention of avoiding detection or attention.
Structure
S + 偷偷 tōutōu + (地 de) + V
In modern usage, 地 de (a particle that connects adverbs to verbs) can be omitted with 偷偷 tōutōu, especially in spoken Chinese. The meaning remains the same.
她偷偷地走出了房間她偷偷地走出了房间
She quietly slipped out of the room.
她偷偷看了我的手機她偷偷看了我的手机
She secretly looked at my phone.
我們偷偷溜出去玩吧我们偷偷溜出去玩吧
Let’s sneak out and play!
他偷偷地給了我一張紙條他偷偷地给了我一张纸条
He quietly slipped me a note.
你們兩個人偷偷在講什麼?你们两个人偷偷在讲什么?
What are you two secretly talking about?
我們偷偷幫她舉辦一個生日派對,怎麼樣?我们偷偷帮她举办一个生日派对,怎么样?
We’re secretly planning a surprise birthday party for her, what do you think?
你吃你吃霸王餐霸王餐嗎?沒付錢還想偷偷離開吗?没付钱还想偷偷离开
Are you dining and dashing? Trying to sneak out without paying?
Common Expressions with 偷偷 tōutōu
偷偷摸摸 tōutōu mōmō
Acting sneakily or suspiciously. Often carries a negative connotation.
他總是偷偷摸摸的,怪可疑的他总是偷偷摸摸的,怪可疑的
He’s always sneaky and suspicious.
我不想再偷偷摸摸地談戀愛了,我們公開吧!我不想再偷偷摸摸地谈恋爱了,我们公开吧!
I’m done with keeping our relationship a secret. Let’s make it public!
Difference Between 偷 tōu and 偷偷 tōutōu
偷 tōu can be a verb, meaning “to steal” or an adverb “to do something in secret.” When used to express “secretly,” it usually combines with a single-syllable verb and is followed by an object, making it more action-focused.
他偷了我的手機他偷了我的手机
He stole my phone.
他偷看了我的答案他偷看了我的答案
He secretly peeked at my answers.
這隻貓偷吃了魚这只猫偷吃了鱼
This cat secretly ate the fish.
你是不是偷說我壞話?你是不是偷说我坏话?
Did you secretly say bad things about me?
誰偷拿了我的筆?谁偷拿了我的笔?
Who secretly took my pen?