Expressing "even more" with "geng"
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Keywords
To express "even more," (as in "even more expensive," "even more ridiculous," "even more badass"), you can use 更 (gèng). 更 (gèng) generally comes before adjectives.
Contents
Basic Usage
Structure
The pattern in Chinese is simple:
更 + adj.
Note that this pattern is not simply a way of adding "-er" to an adjective or a substitute for 比 (bǐ) comparisons. In each case, you're adding "even more" to an existing considerable amount, as in, "I'm already rich, but I want to be even richer."
Examples
- 你知道 哪 一 家 店更 便宜吗？Do you know which shop is cheaper ?
- 我 想 找 一 个 更 有钱 的 男朋友。 It is implied that my boyfriend now is already rich, but I want to rent an even richer apartment.I want to find a richer boyfriend.
- 我 喜欢 在 家 看书，因为 家里 更 安静。I like reading books at home because it's quieter.
- 吃 这么 多 糖，你 会 更 胖 的。It is implied that you are already fat, but if you continue to eat candy, you will become even fatter.If you eat this much candy, you will get fatter.
- 不要 太 高兴，我们 还 有 更 多 的 工作 要 做。 It is implied that a lot of work has already been done but there is still even more work left.Don't get too excited; we still have more work to do.
Structure with 比
While 更 (gèng) is not a substitute for 比 (bǐ) (the classic comparison word), the two can be used together.
Structure
A 比 B + 更 + adj.
This expresses that "A is even more Adj. than B."
Examples
- 今天 比 昨天 更 热。 Today is even hotter than yesterday.
- 这里 比 那里 更 吵。 It's even noisier here than there.
- 汉语 语法 比 拼音 更 难。 Chinese grammar is more difficult than pinyin.
- 她 现在 的 男朋友 比 以前 的 更 有钱。 Her current boyfriend has more money than her previous boyfriend.
- 中国 的 高铁 比 飞机 更 方便。 Chinese high-speed rail is more convenient than airplanes.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
- 现代汉语八百词（增订本） (p. 231) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3) (p. 15) →buy
- Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (p. 54) →buy
Dictionaries
- 现代汉语词典（第5版） (p. 468) →buy
