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

Mandarin Chinese Grammar → Comparative and Superlative → Comparative Form and Usage

As a Mandarin Chinese language teacher with over 20 years of experience, I can testify to the importance of understanding comparative and superlative forms in Mandarin Chinese. It not only allows students to describe things more accurately, but it also enables them to express their opinions more clearly. In this lesson, we will focus on understanding the comparative form and how to use it correctly in Mandarin Chinese.

Understanding the Comparative Form

The comparative form is used when comparing two things, and it is formed in Mandarin Chinese by adding the word "更" (gèng) before the adjective, followed by "一点" (yīdiǎn), meaning "a little", or "比" (bǐ), meaning "than". For example:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English
狗更忠诚一点	Gǒu gèng zhōngchéng yīdiǎn	Dogs are more loyal (than other animals)
这本书比那本书更有趣	Zhè běn shū bǐ nà běn shū gèng yǒuqù	This book is more interesting than that book

When using the comparative form with adverbs, the word "更" (gèng) is also added before the adverb. For example:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English
她跑得更快	Tā pǎo dé gèng kuài	She runs faster
这个问题更难	Zhège wèntí gèng nán	This question is more difficult

Likewise, when using the comparative form with verbs, the word "更" (gèng) is added before the verb. For example:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English
我更喜欢篮球	Wǒ gèng xǐhuan lánqiú	I like basketball more
他更外向	Tā gèng wàixiàng	He is more outgoing

Rules for Using the Comparative Form

There are a few important rules to remember when using the comparative form in Mandarin Chinese:

1. The word "更" (gèng) is necessary when using the comparative form. 2. The word "一点" (yīdiǎn) can be used to soften the comparison, but it is not required. 3. The word "比" (bǐ) is used to create a comparison between two things, and must be followed by the subject of comparison.

When using the comparative form with adjectives, it is important to remember that the adjective must be placed before the word "更" (gèng). If the adjective is a two-character word, you can also use the comparative form by adding "得" (de) after the adjective, followed by "更" (gèng). For example:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English
这个电影比那个电影好看得多	Zhège diànyǐng bǐ nàgè diànyǐng hǎokàn de duō	This movie is much more interesting than that movie
这个学校比那个学校更优秀	Zhège xuéxiào bǐ nàgè xuéxiào gèng yōuxiù	This school is better than that school

When using the comparative form with adverbs, the word "更" (gèng) is added before the adverb. For example:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English
他说汉语说得更流利	Tā shuō hànyǔ shuō de gèng liúlì	He speaks Mandarin more fluently
他带孩子带得更认真	Tā dài háizi dài de gèng rènzhēn	He takes care of his child more seriously

Remember that the comparative form is used to compare two things, so the subject of the comparison must always follow "比" (bǐ). For example:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English
我的房间比你的房间更大	Wǒ de fángjiān bǐ nǐ de fángjiān gèng dà	My room is bigger than your room
他比她更聪明	Tā bǐ tā gèng cōngmíng	He is smarter than her

Exceptions to the Comparative Form

While the comparative form is used to compare two things, there are instances where comparisons are made differently in Mandarin Chinese:

1. When comparing three or more things, the word "最" (zuì), meaning "most", is used instead of "更" (gèng). For example:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English
猫，狗和鸟，我最喜欢鸟	Māo, gǒu hé niǎo, wǒ zuì xǐhuan niǎo	Cats, dogs and birds, I like birds the most
他们三个中，她最高	Tāmen sān gè zhòng, tā zuì gāo	Among the three of them, she is the tallest

2. When comparing the same thing in two different time periods, the phrase "比起来" (bǐ qǐlái), meaning "compared to", is used. For example:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English
今天的天气比昨天的天气好	Jīntiān de tiānqì bǐ zuótiān de tiānqì hǎo	Today's weather is better than yesterday's
在中国出差，比起来在美国更忙	Zài zhōngguó chūchāi, bǐ qǐlái zài měiguó gèng máng	Traveling for business in China is more hectic compared to (traveling for business) in the United States

3. When comparing qualities that cannot be measured, such as taste or temperature, the word "比较" (bǐjiào), meaning "comparatively", is used. For example:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English
这家餐厅的菜比较好吃	Zhè jiā cāntīng de cài bǐjiào hǎochī	The food in this restaurant tastes comparatively better
我觉得这个天气比较冷	Wǒ juédé zhège tiānqì bǐjiào lěng	I feel it is comparatively cold today

Conclusion

In this lesson, we have covered the rules for forming and using comparative adjectives and adverbs in Mandarin Chinese. Remember to use the word "更" (gèng) when comparing two things, and "最" (zuì) when comparing three or more things. Use the word "比

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

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Hobbies, Sports and Activities

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

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China's Geography and Landmarks

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

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Nouns and Pronouns

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

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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

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Comparative and Superlative

• Comparative Form and Usage
• Superlative Form and Usage

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Cities, Countries and Tourist Destinations

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

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Modern China and Current Events

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

Related 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