The word "等等" is formed through the process of reduplication, where the single character "等" (meaning "to wait" or serving as "et cetera") is simply repeated. This duplication intensifies and extends its core conceptual function, transforming it from a simple pause or placeholder into a more deliberate and open-ended marker of an incomplete list or an ongoing, indefinite series. The visual and rhythmic repetition directly mirrors the implied meaning of "and so on, and so forth", creating a self-reinforcing symbol of continuation.