Language/Mandarin-chinese/Grammar/Comparative-Form-and-Usage

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Mandarin Chinese → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Comparative and Superlative → Comparative Form and Usage

Comparative Form and Usage

In this lesson, we will explore the rules for forming and using comparative adjectives and adverbs in Mandarin Chinese. Comparatives are used to compare two or more things, expressing a higher or lower degree of a quality or attribute. This is an important aspect of Mandarin Chinese grammar that will allow you to express comparisons and make your conversations more expressive and nuanced.

Comparative Adjectives

Comparative adjectives are used to compare the quality or attribute of two or more nouns. In Mandarin Chinese, comparative adjectives are formed by adding the word "比" (bǐ) before the adjective. The structure is as follows:

[Subject] + [比] + [Adjective] + [的] + [Noun]

For example, let's compare the size of two objects:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English Translation
这个苹果比那个橙子大。	Zhège píngguǒ bǐ nàgè chéngzi dà.	This apple is bigger than that orange.

In this example, "这个苹果" (zhège píngguǒ) means "this apple", "那个橙子" (nàgè chéngzi) means "that orange", and "大" (dà) means "big". By using the comparative structure, we can compare the size of the two objects and express that the apple is bigger than the orange.

Here are some more examples of comparative adjectives in Mandarin Chinese:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English Translation
这本书比那本书有趣。	Zhè běn shū bǐ nà běn shū yǒuqù.	This book is more interesting than that book.
我的新手机比你的旧手机贵。	Wǒ de xīn shǒujī bǐ nǐ de jiù shǒujī guì.	My new phone is more expensive than your old phone.
这个国家的人口比那个国家多。	Zhège guójiā de rénkǒu bǐ nàgè guójiā duō.	The population of this country is larger than that country.

In these examples, we can see how comparative adjectives are used to compare the qualities or attributes of different nouns. Remember to use the word "比" (bǐ) before the adjective and "的" (de) after the adjective to form the comparative structure.

Comparative Adverbs

Comparative adverbs are used to compare the manner or degree of an action or verb. In Mandarin Chinese, comparative adverbs are formed by adding the word "比" (bǐ) before the adverb. The structure is as follows:

[Subject] + [比] + [Adverb] + [地] + [Verb]

For example, let's compare the speed at which two people run:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English Translation
我跑得比他快。	Wǒ pǎo de bǐ tā kuài.	I run faster than him.

In this example, "我" (wǒ) means "I", "跑" (pǎo) means "run", "得" (de) is used to connect the adverb and the verb, and "快" (kuài) means "fast". By using the comparative structure, we can compare the speed at which the two people run and express that "I" run faster than "him".

Here are some more examples of comparative adverbs in Mandarin Chinese:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English Translation
这个电影拍得比那个电影好。	Zhège diànyǐng pāi de bǐ nàgè diànyǐng hǎo.	This movie is filmed better than that movie.
我们的团队工作得比他们高效。	Wǒmen de tuánduì gōngzuò de bǐ tāmen gāoxiào.	Our team works more efficiently than theirs.
他唱得比我好听。	Tā chàng de bǐ wǒ hǎotīng.	He sings better than me.

In these examples, we can see how comparative adverbs are used to compare the manner or degree of an action or verb. Remember to use the word "比" (bǐ) before the adverb and "地" (de) after the adverb to form the comparative structure.

Irregular Comparatives

While most comparative adjectives and adverbs in Mandarin Chinese follow a consistent pattern, there are some irregular comparatives that require special attention. These irregular comparatives have unique forms and cannot be formed using the regular comparative structures.

Here are some examples of irregular comparatives in Mandarin Chinese:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English Translation
好	Hǎo	Good
更好	Gèng hǎo	Better
坏	Huài	Bad
更坏	Gèng huài	Worse
多	Duō	Many
更多	Gèng duō	More

In these examples, we can see that the comparative forms of "好" (hǎo), "坏" (huài), and "多" (duō) are irregular. Instead of adding "比" (bǐ) before the adjective or adverb, we use the word "更" (gèng) to indicate a higher degree or a comparison.

It's important to familiarize yourself with these irregular comparatives and practice using them in sentences to become comfortable with their usage.

Comparative Structures with Nouns

In addition to using comparative adjectives and adverbs, Mandarin Chinese also has comparative structures that involve nouns. These structures are used to compare the quantity or quality of two or more nouns.

Here are some examples of comparative structures with nouns in Mandarin Chinese:

1. Quantity Comparison: [Subject] + [比] + [Number] + [个] + [Noun]

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English Translation
我有比你更多的书。	Wǒ yǒu bǐ nǐ gèng duō de shū.	I have more books than you.

In this example, "我有" (wǒ yǒu) means "I have", "比" (bǐ) is used to compare the quantity, "你" (nǐ) means "you", "更多的" (gèng duō de) means "more", and "书" (shū) means "books". By using the comparative structure, we can compare the quantity of books that "I" have and express that "I" have more books than "you".

2. Quality Comparison: [Subject] + [比] + [Noun] + [的] + [Adjective]

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English Translation
这个城市比那个城市的空气更清新。	Zhège chéngshì bǐ nàgè chéngshì de kōngqì gèng qīngxīn.	The air in this city is fresher than the air in that city.

In this example, "这个城市" (zhège chéngshì) means "this city", "那个城市" (nàgè chéngshì) means "that city", "的" (de) is used to connect the noun and the adjective, "空气" (kōngqì) means "air", "更" (gèng) means "more", and "清新" (qīngxīn) means "fresh". By using the comparative structure, we can compare the quality of air in the two cities and express that the air in this city is fresher than the air in that city.

Practice Exercise

Now it's time to practice forming and using comparative adjectives and adverbs in Mandarin Chinese. Complete the following exercise by filling in the blanks with the appropriate comparative form:

1. 这本书比那本书 __________ (有趣).

2. 我的新手机比你的旧手机 __________ (贵).

3. 这个国家的人口比那个国家 __________ (多).

4. 我跑得比他 __________ (快).

5. 这个电影拍得比那个电影 __________ (好).

6. 我们的团队工作得比他们 __________ (高效).

7. 他唱得比我 __________ (好听).

Once you have completed the exercise, you can check your answers below:

1. 这本书比那本书有趣. (This book is more interesting than that book.)

2. 我的新手机比你的旧手机贵. (My new phone is more expensive than your old phone.)

3. 这个国家的人口比那个国家多. (The population of this country is larger than that country.)

4. 我跑得比他快. (I run faster than him.)

5. 这个电影拍得比那个电影好. (This movie is filmed better than that movie.)

6. 我们的团队工作得比他们高效. (Our team works more efficiently than theirs.)

7. 他唱得比我好听. (He sings better than me.)

Congratulations on completing the practice exercise! Practice is key to mastering comparative adjectives and adverbs in Mandarin Chinese. Keep practicing and using these structures in your conversations to become more fluent and confident in expressing comparisons.

Summary

In this lesson, we explored the rules for forming and using comparative adjectives and adverbs in Mandarin Chinese. We learned that comparative adjectives are formed by adding "比" (bǐ) before the adjective, and comparative adverbs are formed by adding "比" (bǐ) before the adverb. We also discovered that there are some irregular comparatives that have unique forms and cannot be formed using the regular comparative structures. Additionally, we discussed comparative structures with nouns, which are used to compare the quantity or quality of two or more nouns.

Remember to practice using comparative adjectives and adverbs in your conversations to become more comfortable and proficient in expressing comparisons in Mandarin Chinese. Keep up the good work, and in the next lesson, we will explore the rules for forming and using superlative adjectives and adverbs.

Table of Contents - Mandarin Chinese Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Pinyin and Tones

• Pinyin Introduction
• Tones Introduction
• Tone Pairs

  ---

Greetings and Basic Expressions

• Greeting People
• Basic Expressions
• Numbers and Counters

  ---

Sentence Structure and Word Order

• Subject-Verb-Object Structure
• Question Words and Question Structure
• Adjectives and Adverbs
• Negation and Conjunctions
• Particles and Structure Particles

  ---

Daily Life and Survival Expressions

• Asking for Directions
• Ordering Food and Drinks
• Shopping and Bargaining
• Transport and Travel
• Emergencies and Medical Care

  ---

Chinese Festivals and Traditions

• Spring Festival and Chunyun
• Mid-Autumn Festival and Mooncakes
• Dragon Boat Festival and Zongzi
• Double Ninth Festival and Chongyang Cake

  ---

Verbs and Verb Usage

• Action Verbs and Stative Verbs
• Modal Verbs and Auxiliary Verbs
• Complex Verb Phrases

  ---

Hobbies, Sports and Activities

• Leisure Activities and Hobbies
• Sports and Exercise
• Outdoor Activities and Nature
• Music and Film

  ---

China's Geography and Landmarks

• China's Four Great Ancient Capitals
• Famous Chinese Mountains and Rivers
• China's Great Wall

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Common and Proper Nouns
• Personal Pronouns and Possessive Pronouns
• Demonstrative Pronouns and Interrogative Pronouns

  ---

Professions and Personality Traits

• Professions and Jobs
• Personality Traits and Characteristics
• Emotions and Feelings

  ---

Chinese Traditional Arts and Crafts

• Chinese Calligraphy and Painting
• Chinese Opera and Drama
• Chinese Knots and Paper-cutting

  ---

Comparative and Superlative

• Comparative Form and Usage
• Superlative Form and Usage

  ---

Cities, Countries and Tourist Destinations

• Chinese and International Cities
• Country Names and Nationalities
• Tourist Attractions and Transportation

  ---

Modern China and Current Events

• China's Economy and Business Landscape
• Chinese Art and Entertainment Scene
• Current Events and Issues in China and Beyond

Other Lessons

• 了 le
• Subject Verb Object Structure
• Mastering Chinese Grammar Easily – 8 Rules You Need to Know
• Talk about the weather
• Separable verbs
• Be Polite
• 个 (ge)
• Future Tense
• Superlative Form and Usage
• Demonstrative Pronouns and Interrogative Pronouns

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