Mandarin Comparative Flashcards
(41 cards)
How the the grammar particle “bǐ” used?
To show that one thing has more or is more than another, we use the particle bǐ. The comparative is a Stative Verb (SV) which refers to a state or condition which is quite static. Examples of Stative Verbs are tall; expensive; and important.
The sentence construction of this comparison is:
Noun1 bǐ noun2 SV.
…which translates as:
Noun1 is more SV than noun2.
The nouns can also be noun phrases, such as “those people,” or “the tables in this room.”
This house is prettier than that one.
Zhè dòng fángzi bǐ nà dòng fángzi piàoliang.
My older brother is taller than me.
Wǒ de gēgē bǐ wǒ gāo.
Our house is bigger than the one next door.
Wǒmen de fángzi bǐ gébì de dà.
Explain how to use the modifier Bǐ
Sometimes you may need to modify bi with a little (yīdiǎn) or a lot (de duō). These modifiers are placed after the Stative Verb.
Zhè dòng fángzi bǐ nà dòng fángzi xiǎo yīdiǎn.
This house is a little bit smaller than the other one.
Wǒ de mèimèi bǐ wǒ ǎi de duō.
My younger sister is a lot shorter than me.
How is the particle gèng used in a comparison?
The particle gèng can be used when extending a comparison to a third person or object. It is used in a supplementary sentence or phrase, and appears directly before the Stative Verb.
My older brother is taller than me, but my father is even taller.
Wǒ de gēgē bǐ wǒ gāo. Wǒ de bàba gèng gāo.
It is more expensive to travel to Japan than the Philippines. Going to America is even more expensive.
Dào Rìběn lǚyóu bǐ dào fēilǜbīn guì. Dào Měiguó gèng guì.
Zài zhàopiàn lǐ, guōjìngmíng jǐnjǐn bǐ chēmén gāo chū shǎoxǔ.
In the photo, GJM just a bit higher than the door.
Explain The Mandarin particle zuì
The Mandarin particle zuì is used for forming superlatives. In English, this function is often done by adding “est” to an adjective or adverb, to form words such as “biggest” or “fastest.”
Zuì is used with a Stative Verb (SV) – verbs or verb phrases which indicate a condition or static state. Examples of Stative Verbs are tall; expensive; and important.
Zuì is placed directly before the Stative
He is the tallest in our class.
Tā shì bān shàng zuì gāo de.
She has the best grades.
Tā de chéngjī zuì hǎo.
That was the longest movie I’ve ever seen.
Nà shì wǒ kàn guò zuì cháng de diànyǐng.
Ice cream is my favorite desert.
Bīngqílín shì wǒ zuì xǐhuan de tiándiǎn.
She is my favorite singer.
Tā shì wǒ zuì xǐ ài de gēxīng.
Nothing Better (common expression)
If someone makes a very good suggestion, you can show your approval by saying “There’s nothing better” - zuì hǎo bù guò le.
There’s nothing better than this. (Great idea!)
Zuì hǎo bù guò le.
Explain the Mandarin Chinese comparison which means “less than”
The Mandarin Chinese comparison which means “less than” is constructed with méi yǒu:
Noun1 méi yǒu noun2 Stative Verb.
This translates as:
Noun1 is not as SV as noun2.
The Stative Verb (SV) is a verb describing a state or condition which is quite static. Examples of Stative Verbs are tall; expensive; and important.
The Nouns can also be noun-phrases such as such as “those people,” or “the tables in this room.”
Chicken is less expensive than beef.
Jī ròu méiyǒu niú ròu guì.
I am not as short as my cousin.
Wǒ méiyǒu biǎoqīn ǎi.
In mandarin, the distance between two places is expressed how?
The distance between two places is expressed using the co-verb lí 離 (traditional) 离 (simplified). Lí is translated as “from” but it is only used when talking about distance, not movement. If you want to talk about the starting point between two places, use the co-verb cóng 從 (trad) 从 (simp).
The construction of sentences using lí is:
A lí B DISTANCE.
Distance can be expressed in specifics (miles/kilometers, minutes/hours) or generalities (far/not far, close/not close).
My house is very close to the train station.
Wǒ jiā lí huǒchēzhàn hěn jìn.
