Advanced uses of "hai"

This article focuses on two of the advanced usages of 还. On the one hand, it is used to express something at an even higher degree. On the other, it can be used to express a surprised or shocked tone.

这篇介绍的主要是"还"作为程度副词和语气副词的用法。

还 Used before Adjectives

Structure

When used in a comparison, 还 expresses an even higher degree of the adjective at hand. At the same time, it strengthens the tone of the statement, similar to using "even more than..." in English. Adding 呢 at the end of a sentence when using 还 strengthens the degree of the statement even more.

"还"用在比较句的形容词前，表示程度有所增加，也有语气副词的作用，句尾有时候会加"呢"，表示赞叹或惊讶。

A + 比 + B + 还 + Adj. (+ 呢)

A + 还 + 没有 + B + Adj. + 呢

Examples

• 今天 比 昨天 还 热 。Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān hái rè.Today is even hotter than yesterday.
• 他 比 姚明 还 高 。Tā bǐ YáoMíng hái gāo.He is even taller than Yao Ming.
• 你 比 我 还 懒 。Nǐ bǐ wǒ hái lǎn.You're even lazier than me.
• 飞机 还 没有 高铁 快 呢 。Fēijī hái méiyǒu gāotiě kuài ne.The plane isn't even as fast as the high speed train.
• 你 还 没有 一 个 三岁 小孩 知道 的 多 呢 。Nǐ hái méiyǒu yī gè sān suì xiǎohái zhīdào de duō ne.You don't even know as much as a three year old does.

还 Used before Verbs

Structure

"还"用在动词前，句尾跟"呢"连用，表示"不满，惊讶"等语气。句尾跟"吗"连用，加强反问语气。

Subj. + 还 + [Verb Phrase] + 呢

Subj. + 还 + [Verb Phrase] + 吗 ?

Examples

• 你们 还 是 好朋友 呢，他 结婚 你 不知道 ？Nǐmen hái shì hǎo péngyou ne, tā jiéhūn nǐ bù zhīdào?You two are friends? You didn't know he got married.
• 你 女儿 还 会 帮 你 做 家务 呢 。Nǐ nǚ’ér hái huì bāng nǐ zuò jiāwù ne.Your daughter can help you with house work?
• 还 是 大 老板 呢，一点儿 也 不 大方 。Hái shì dà lǎobǎn ne, yīdiǎnr yě bù dàfāng.He is the boss, yet he is not generous at all.
• 他 那么 有钱， 还 会 在乎 这 点 钱 吗？Tā nàme yǒuqián, hái huì zàihu zhè diǎn qián ma?He has so much money, will he care about this small amount of money?
• 这 种 人 你 还 相信？Zhè zhǒng rén nǐ hái xiāngxìn?Do you believe this type of person?

See Also

• Moderating positive adjectives with "hai"
• Expressing "and also" with "hai"
• Continuation with "hai"

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