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So I'm listening to this catchy song and the chorus goes 你是我的小呀小苹果儿. I'm wondering why the 小 is being said twice. Is that just something the artist is doing to play with the language in the song or would you actually say that 小 two times?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzHFD1sEqpE#t=100

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    The usage usually appears in a song, for matching up the melody, or strenthening the (merry) mood.
    – user4072
    Jul 22, 2014 at 3:30

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It's the same as songs in English - repetition is for rhythm.

你是我的小呀小苹果儿

You're my little - little apple

Something like that.

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    An example would be Emilia's Big Big World.
    – geffchang
    Jul 22, 2014 at 8:05
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See this: 我是一只小小小小鸟，想要飞呀飞　却飞也飞不高。 The purpose of the additional words is to match the rhythm. They don't make sense usually. But in some condition, the are to emphasize the feeling. http://youtu.be/FdjR-AMz50c

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just like this in English:

You are my liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiittle apple.

repeat for emphasize.

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小苹果 has a lively rhythm. The additional 小 avoids prolonging other words.

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Same as "twinkle twinkle little star..."

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