Expressing "both A and B" with "you"

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When you're getting descriptive, you may find yourself wanting to use multiple adjectives at a time. The character 又 (yòu) can be used to give two qualities to something. Using the double 又 (yòu) structure is like saying that something is "both… and… " in English.

Structure

The structure in Chinese is:

Subj. + 又 + Adj. 1 + 又 + Adj. 2

The two words shouldn't contrast in feeling. It is important to note they must both be bad or both be good.

Examples

  • 她 男朋友 帅。Tā nánpéngyou yòu gāo yòu shuài. Her boyfriend is both tall and handsome.
  • 这 个 房子 亮。Zhè ge fángzi yòuyòu liàng. This house is both big and bright.
  • 妈妈 的 头发 亮。Māma de tóufa yòu hēi yòu liàng. Mom's hair is both black and shiny.
  • 我姐姐 聪明 漂亮。Wǒ jiějie yòu cōngming yòu piàoliang. My older sister is both smart and beautiful.
  • 中国菜 便宜 好吃。Zhōngguócài yòu piányi yòu hǎochī. Chinese food is both cheap and good-tasting.
  • 你们 老板 年轻 有钱。Nǐmen lǎobǎn yòu niánqīng yòu yǒu qián. Your boss is both young and rich.
  • 这里 的 咖啡 难喝。Zhèlǐ de kāfēi yòu guì yòu nánhē. The coffee here is both expensive and bad-tasting.
  • 我家 小狗 可爱 听话。Wǒ jiā xiǎogǒu yòu kě'ài yòu tīnghuà. My family's dog is both cute and obedient.
  • 上海 的 冬天 湿。 Shànghǎi de dōngtiān yòu lěng yòu shī. Winter here in Shanghai is both cold and humid.
  • 她 小时候 瘦。Tā xiǎoshíhou yòu ǎi yòu shòu. She was both short and thin when she was young.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books