sān三threefān番timeswǔ五fivecì次times
Again and again; repeatedly; time and again.
Literal meaning
three (三) — times (番) — five (五) — times (次)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase indicating repeated actions.
Examples
Wǒ sānfān-wǔcì de gàosù tā, dànshì tā háishì bù tīng.我三番五次地告诉他，但他还是不听。
I told him again and again, but he still didn't listen.
Tā sānfān-wǔcì de chángshì, zhōngyú chénggōng le.他三番五次地尝试，终于成功了。
He tried again and again, and finally succeeded.
Usage & nuances
Can imply persistence or annoyance, depending on the context.
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