Expressing "even more" with "geng"

To express "even more," (as in "even more expensive," "even more ridiculous," "even more badass"), use 更 (gèng). It frequently comes before adjectives.

Structure

The pattern in Chinese is simple:

更 + adj.

Examples

Note that this pattern is not simply a way of adding "-er" to an adjective. It's not a substitute for 比 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."

• 今天 已经 很 忙 了，但是 明天 会 更 忙。 (This example is quite clear.)We're already really busy today, but tomorrow we'll be even busier.
• 孩子 都 想要 更 多 的 玩具。 (It is implied that kids already have some toys, but they still want even more.)All kids want even more toys.
• 不要 太 高兴，我们 还 有 更 多 的 工作。 (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.
• 希望 你 能 找到 一 个 更 好 的 男朋友。 (It is implied that you broke up with a boyfriend, and hopefully you can find one even better.)I hope you get find an even better boyfriend.

Structure with 比

While 更 is not a substitute for 比 (the classic comparison word), the two can be used together.

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.
• 这 个 女孩子 比 那 个 更 漂亮。 This girl is even prettier than that one.

See also

• Expressing "More and More" with "yue… yue…"

Sources and further reading

Books

• 现代汉语八百词（增订本） (pp. 231) →buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3) (pp. 15) →buy

Dictionaries

• 现代汉语词典（第5版） (pp. 468) →buy