The word 痒痒 (yǎngyang) is formed through the process of reduplication, where the base single-character word 痒 (yǎng), meaning "itchy," is repeated to create a disyllabic form. This specific type of reduplication, where the original character is simply duplicated without tonal change, is common for adjectives and creates a more vivid, informal, and often slightly softened or more descriptive quality. For 痒痒, the repetition intensifies the sensation of itchiness, making it feel more persistent, widespread, or colloquially bothersome than the single character 痒 alone, and it frequently functions grammatically as a stative verb (e.g., "to feel itchy").