Expressing "even more" with "geng"
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Used for
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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
- 这 两个 银行 哪 个 更 近 ？There two banks, which one is closer?
- 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 find an even richer boyfriend.I want to find a richer boyfriend.
- 我 喜欢 在 网上 买书，因为 更 便宜。 I like buying books online because it's cheaper.
- 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.
- 结婚 以后， 她 变 得 更 漂亮 了。She's becoming more beautiful after she got married.
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
- 北京 的 房子 比 上海 更 贵。 THe house in Beijing is even more expensive than those in Shanghai.
- 春节 比中秋节更 热闹。 Spring Festival is even more boisterous than Mid-autumn Festival?
- 汉语 语法 比 声调 更 难。 Chinese grammar is more difficult than tones.
- 他 现在 的 女朋友 比 以前 的 更 漂亮。 His current girlfriend is more beautiful than his previous girlfriend.
- 中国 的 高铁 比 飞机 更 方便。 Chinese high-speed train 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
