Difference between revisions of "Superlative "zui""

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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
{{Grammar Box}}  
  
The most common way to form a superlative (best, worst, biggest, smallest, etc.) in Chinese is to use 最 (zuì) before an adjective (and a few select verbs).  
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The most common way to form a superlative (best, worst, biggest, smallest, etc.) in Chinese is to use 最 (zuì) before an [[adjective]] (and a few select [[verb]]s).  
  
== 最 with Adjectives ==
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== 最 (zuì) with Adjectives ==
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 哪 个 老师 <em>最</em> 好?<span class="pinyin">Nǎ ge lǎoshī <em>zuì</em> hǎo? </span> <span class="trans">Which teacher is the best? </span>
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*哪 个 老师 <em>最</em> 好?<span class="pinyin">Nǎge lǎoshī <em>zuì</em> hǎo? </span><span class="trans">Which teacher is the best?</span>
* 你们 家 谁 <em>最</em> 漂亮?<span class="pinyin">Nīmen jiā shéi <em>zuì</em> piàoliang? </span> <span class="trans">In your family who is the most beautiful? </span>
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*你们 家 谁 <em>最</em> 漂亮?<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen jiā shéi <em>zuì</em> piàoliang? </span><span class="trans">In your family who is the most beautiful? </span>
* Bill Gates <em>最</em> 有钱。 <span class="pinyin">Bill Gates <em>zuì</em> yǒuqián. </span> <span class="trans"> Bill Gates is the richest. </span>
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*<em>最</em> 有钱 ?<span class="pinyin">Shéi <em>zuì</em> yǒuqián?</span><span class="trans">Who is the richest?</span>
* 汉语 <em>最</em> 难。 <span class="pinyin">Hànyǔ <em>zuì</em> nán. </span> <span class="trans">The Chinese language is the most difficult. </span>
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*汉语 <em>最</em> 难 。<span class="pinyin">Hànyǔ <em>zuì</em> nán.</span><span class="trans">The Chinese language is the most difficult.</span>
* 这 种 事 <em>最</em> 麻烦。 <span class="pinyin">Zhè zhǒng shì <em>zuì</em> máfan. </span> <span class="trans">These kind of things are the most troublesome. </span>
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*这 种 事 <em>最</em> 麻烦 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè zhǒng shì <em>zuì</em> máfan.</span><span class="trans">These kind of things are the most troublesome.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Optional 了 ==
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== Optional 了 (le) ==
  
 
Occasionally you'll also see a 了 (le) added after the adjective.  This simply adds emphasis to the "-est."
 
Occasionally you'll also see a 了 (le) added after the adjective.  This simply adds emphasis to the "-est."
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<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
 
最 + Adj. (+ 了)
 
最 + Adj. (+ 了)
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 小狗 <em>最</em> 可爱 <strong>了</strong>。<span class="expl">This 了 is optional</span><span class="pinyin">Xiǎogǒu <em>zuì</em> kěài <strong>le</strong>. </span> <span class="trans">The puppy is the cutest. </span>
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*小狗 <em>最</em> 可爱 <strong>了</strong>。<span class="expl pdf-simple-expl">This 了 is optional</span><span class="pinyin">Xiǎogǒu <em>zuì</em> kě'ài <strong>le</strong>.</span><span class="trans">The puppy is the cutest.</span>
* 四川菜 <em>最</em> 辣 <strong>了</strong>。<span class="expl">This 了 is optional</span><span class="pinyin">Sìchuān cài <em>zuì</em> là <strong>le</strong>. </span> <span class="trans">Sichuan food is the spiciest. </span>
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*四川 菜 <em>最</em> 辣 <strong>了</strong> 。<span class="expl pdf-simple-expl">This 了 is optional</span><span class="pinyin">Sìchuān cài <em>zuì</em> là <strong>le</strong>.</span><span class="trans">Sichuan food is the spiciest.</span>
* 我 的 中国 朋友 <em>最</em> 热情 <strong>了</strong>。<span class="expl">This 了 is optional</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ de Zhōngguó péngyou <em>zuì</em> rèqíng <strong>le</strong>. </span> <span class="trans">My Chinese friend is the most enthusiastic. </span>
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*我 的 中国 朋友 <em>最</em> 热情 <strong>了</strong>。<span class="expl pdf-simple-expl">This 了 is optional</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ de Zhōngguó péngyou <em>zuì</em> rèqíng <strong>le</strong>.</span><span class="trans">My Chinese friend is the most enthusiastic.</span>
* 他 的 学生 <em>最</em> 认真 <strong>了</strong>。<span class="expl">This 了 is optional</span><span class="pinyin">Tā de xuésheng <em>zuì</em> rènzhēn <strong>le</strong>. </span> <span class="trans">His student is the most serious. </span>
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*他 的 学生 <em>最</em> 认真 <strong>了</strong>。<span class="expl pdf-simple-expl">This 了 is optional</span><span class="pinyin">Tā de xuésheng <em>zuì</em> rènzhēn <strong>le</strong>.</span><span class="trans">His student is the most serious.</span>
* 黄山 的 风景 <em>最</em> 美 <strong>了</strong>。 <span class="expl">This 了 is optional</span><span class="pinyin">Huángshān de fēngjǐng <em>zuì</em> měi <strong>le</strong>. </span> <span class="trans">Huang Mountain's landscape is the most beautiful. </span>
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*黄山 的 风景 <em>最</em> 美 <strong>了</strong>。 <span class="expl pdf-simple-expl">This 了 is optional</span><span class="pinyin">Huángshān de fēngjǐng <em>zuì</em> měi <strong>le</strong>.</span><span class="trans">Huang Mountain's landscape is the most beautiful.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== 最 with Psychological Verbs ==
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== 最 (zuì) with Psychological Verbs ==
  
 
最 (zuì) can also come before [[psychological verb]]s, to express what one "most likes," "most hates," etc. It won't make sense if you try to use 最 (zuì) with non-psychological verbs, though.
 
最 (zuì) can also come before [[psychological verb]]s, to express what one "most likes," "most hates," etc. It won't make sense if you try to use 最 (zuì) with non-psychological verbs, though.
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</div>
 
</div>
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 +
Note the 了 (le) on the end there! It's not strictly required, but you'll hear it a lot in spoken Chinese.
  
 
=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 老板 <em>最</em> 喜欢 你 了 ! <span class="pinyin">Lǎobǎn <em>zuì</em> xǐhuan nǐ le!</span> <span class="trans">The boss likes you the best!</span>
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*老板 <em>最</em> <strong>喜欢</strong> 了! <span class="pinyin">Lǎobǎn <em>zuì</em> <strong>xǐhuan</strong> nǐ le!</span><span class="trans">The boss likes you the best!</span>
* 你 <em>最</em> 怕 什么? <span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>zuì</em> pà shénme? </span> <span class="trans">What do you most fear? </span>
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*你 <em>最</em> <strong>怕</strong> 什么?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>zuì</em> <strong>pà</strong> shénme?</span><span class="trans">What do you most fear?</span>
* 我 <em>最</em> 想 去 的 地方 是 西班牙 。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>zuì</em> xiǎng qù de dìfang shì Xībānyá.</span> <span class="trans">The place I most want to go to is Spain.</span>
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*我 <em>最</em> <strong>爱</strong> 中国 菜。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>zuì</em> <strong>ài</strong> Zhōngguó cài.</span><span class="trans">I love Chinese food most.</span>
* 谁 <em>最</em> 了解 你? <span class="pinyin">Shéi <em>zuì</em> liǎojiě nǐ?</span> <span class="trans">Who most knows you?</span>
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*谁 <em>最</em> <strong>了解</strong> 你? <span class="pinyin">Shéi <em>zuì</em> <strong>liǎojiě</strong> nǐ?</span><span class="trans">Who knows you best?</span>
* 她 <em>最</em> 讨厌 抽烟 的 男人 了。 <span class="pinyin">Tā <em>zuì</em> tǎo yàn chōuyān de nánrén .</span> <span class="trans">She most hates men that smoke.</span>
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*她 <em>最</em> <strong>讨厌</strong> 抽烟 的 男人 了。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>zuì</em> <strong>tǎoyàn</strong> chōuyān de nánrén le.</span><span class="trans">She most hates men that smoke.</span>
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 +
</div>
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 +
Although you could translate it as "like the best," pairing 最 (zuì) with the psychological verb 喜欢 (xǐhuan) is also a great way to talk about one's "favorite."
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
 
 +
*你 <em>最</em> <strong>喜欢</strong> 什么 颜色?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>zuì</em> <strong>xǐhuan</strong> shénme yánsè? </span><span class="trans">What is your favorite color? </span>
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*你 <em>最</em> <strong>喜欢</strong> 什么 动物?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>zuì</em> <strong>xǐhuan</strong> shénme dòngwù?</span><span class="trans">What is your favorite animal?</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3)]] (pp. 15-6) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/756191251X/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=756191251X →buy]
+
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 2|4}}
* [[Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar]] (pp. 571-4) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0520066103?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0520066103 →buy]
+
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3)|15-6}}
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1]] (p. 344) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276792/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276792 →buy]
+
{{Source|Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar|571-4}}
 +
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1|344}}
  
 
[[Category:A2 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:A2 grammar points]]
{{Basic Grammar|最|A2|最 + Adj.|我 的 朋友 <em>最</em> 好。|grammar point|ASG3544U}}
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{{HSK|HSK2}}{{2021-HSK|HSK2}}
 +
{{Basic Grammar|最|A2|最 + Adj. (+ 了)|<em>最</em> 有钱 ?|grammar point|ASG3544U}}
 
{{Similar|Expressing "excessively" with tai}}   
 
{{Similar|Expressing "excessively" with tai}}   
 
{{Similar|Positive adjectives with "-ji le"}}   
 
{{Similar|Positive adjectives with "-ji le"}}   
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{{Similar|Moderating positive adjectives with "hai"}}
 
{{Similar|Moderating positive adjectives with "hai"}}
 
{{Similar|"Even more" with "geng"}}
 
{{Similar|"Even more" with "geng"}}
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{{Similar|Expressing "really" with "zhen"}}
 
{{Used for|Comparing}}
 
{{Used for|Comparing}}
 
{{Used for|Emphasizing}}
 
{{Used for|Emphasizing}}
 
{{POS|Adverbs with Adjectives}}
 
{{POS|Adverbs with Adjectives}}
 
{{Translation|most}}
 
{{Translation|most}}

Latest revision as of 08:57, 21 April 2021

The most common way to form a superlative (best, worst, biggest, smallest, etc.) in Chinese is to use 最 (zuì) before an adjective (and a few select verbs).

最 (zuì) with Adjectives

Structure

The structure is:

最 + Adj.

And now you have the superlative form of the adjective. Unlike in English, this structure is consistent for all adjectives in Chinese. The inconsistencies in English sometimes confuse beginners, so note in the examples below how to say "best," "worst," "least," and "most" (meaning "greatest number").

Examples

  • 哪 个 老师 好?Nǎge lǎoshī zuì hǎo? Which teacher is the best?
  • 你们 家 谁 漂亮?Nǐmen jiā shéi zuì piàoliang? In your family who is the most beautiful?
  • 有钱 ?Shéi zuì yǒuqián?Who is the richest?
  • 汉语 难 。Hànyǔ zuì nán.The Chinese language is the most difficult.
  • 这 种 事 麻烦 。Zhè zhǒng shì zuì máfan.These kind of things are the most troublesome.

Optional 了 (le)

Occasionally you'll also see a 了 (le) added after the adjective. This simply adds emphasis to the "-est."

Structure

最 + Adj. (+ 了)

Examples

  • 小狗 可爱 This 了 is optionalXiǎogǒu zuì kě'ài le.The puppy is the cutest.
  • 四川 菜 This 了 is optionalSìchuān cài zuìle.Sichuan food is the spiciest.
  • 我 的 中国 朋友 热情 This 了 is optionalWǒ de Zhōngguó péngyou zuì rèqíng le.My Chinese friend is the most enthusiastic.
  • 他 的 学生 认真 This 了 is optionalTā de xuésheng zuì rènzhēn le.His student is the most serious.
  • 黄山 的 风景 This 了 is optionalHuángshān de fēngjǐng zuì měi le.Huang Mountain's landscape is the most beautiful.

最 (zuì) with Psychological Verbs

最 (zuì) can also come before psychological verbs, to express what one "most likes," "most hates," etc. It won't make sense if you try to use 最 (zuì) with non-psychological verbs, though.

Structure

The structure is:

最 + [Psychological Verb] + Obj. (+ 了)

Note the 了 (le) on the end there! It's not strictly required, but you'll hear it a lot in spoken Chinese.

Examples

  • 老板 喜欢 你 了! Lǎobǎn zuì xǐhuan nǐ le!The boss likes you the best!
  • 什么?zuì shénme?What do you most fear?
  • 中国 菜。zuì ài Zhōngguó cài.I love Chinese food most.
  • 了解 你? Shéi zuì liǎojiě nǐ?Who knows you best?
  • 讨厌 抽烟 的 男人 了。zuì tǎoyàn chōuyān de nánrén le.She most hates men that smoke.

Although you could translate it as "like the best," pairing 最 (zuì) with the psychological verb 喜欢 (xǐhuan) is also a great way to talk about one's "favorite."

  • 喜欢 什么 颜色?zuì xǐhuan shénme yánsè? What is your favorite color?
  • 喜欢 什么 动物?zuì xǐhuan shénme dòngwù?What is your favorite animal?

See also

Sources and further reading

Books