Expressing "even more" with "gèng" "更"
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.
Basic Usage
Structure
The pattern in Chinese is simple:
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 ？
Zhè liǎng gè yínháng nǎge gèng jìn?
Between these two banks, which one is closer?
- 我 想 找 一 个 更 帅 的 男朋友。
It is implied that my boyfriend now is already handsome, but I want to find an even more handsome boyfriend.
Wǒ xiǎng zhǎo yī gè gèng shuài de nánpéngyou.
I want to find a more handsome boyfriend.
- 我 喜欢 在 网上 买书，因为 更 便宜。
Wǒ xǐhuan zài wǎngshàng mǎi shū, yīnwèi gèng piányi.
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.
Bùyào tài gāoxìng, wǒmen hái yǒu gèng duō de gōngzuò yào zuò.
Don't get too excited. We still have more work to do.
- 结婚 以后， 她 变 得 更 漂亮 了。
Jiéhūn yǐhòu, tā biàn de gèng piàoliang le.
She's become more beautiful after she got married.
Structure with 比 (bǐ)
While 更 (gèng) is not a substitute for 比 (bǐ) (the classic comparison word), the two can be used together.
Structure
This expresses that "A is even more Adj. than B."
Examples
- 北京 的 房子 比 上海 更 贵。
Běijīng de fángzi bǐ Shànghǎi gèng guì.
The houses in Beijing are even more expensive than those in Shanghai.
- 春节 比中秋节更 热闹。 Chūnjié bǐ Zhōngqiūjié gèng rènao.
Spring Festival is even more boisterous than Mid-autumn Festival.
- 汉字 比 声调 更 难。
Hànzì bǐ shēngdiào gèng nán.
Chinese characters are even more difficult than tones.
- 他 现在 的 女朋友 比 以前 的 更 漂亮。
Tā xiànzài de nǚpéngyou bǐ yǐqián de gèng piàoliang.
His current girlfriend is even more beautiful than his previous one.
- 中国 的 高铁 比 飞机 更 方便。
Zhōngguó de gāotiě bǐ fēijī gèng fāngbiàn.
China's high-speed trains are even more convenient than airplanes.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
- 现代汉语八百词（增订本） (p. 231)
- New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3) (p. 15)
- Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (p. 54)
Dictionaries