After studying the language for a little while, do you find that your Chinese is getting better and better? Do you feel like the more you study, the more your fluency improves? That\u2019s a sign that you\u2019re moving in the right direction. But wait, how exactly can you tell your Chinese teacher or your friends just how much you\u2019re improving? Well, there are two common expressions in Mandarin Chinese used to describe something that is increasing over time:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both of these expressions come very close to the English phrase \u201cmore and more,\u201d but they have a few nuances that can be hard to grasp at first. In this article, we\u2019ll take a look at the differences between these two phrases and when to use each one. If you\u2019re feeling confident, we\u2019ve also got a quick quiz you can use to test and reaffirm your new knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n
\u8d8a\u6765\u8d8a (yu\u00e8 l\u00e1i yu\u00e8) expresses that something changes more and more as time passes. This phrase highlights that the change is happening gradually. You can start with this simple structure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Subject + <\/strong>\u8d8a\u6765\u8d8a<\/strong> + Adjective\/ Mental verb<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u4ed6\u7684\u4e2a\u5b50\u8d8a\u6765\u8d8a\u9ad8\u3002(T\u0101de g\u00e8zi yu\u00e8 l\u00e1i yu\u00e8 g\u0101o) \u5979\u957f\u5f97\u8d8a\u6765\u8d8a\u6f02\u4eae\u3002(T\u0101 zh\u0103ng de yu\u00e8 l\u00e1i yu\u00e8 pi\u00e0o) \u6211\u8d8a\u6765\u8d8a\u559c\u6b22\u753b\u753b\u513f\u3002(W\u014f yu\u00e8 l\u00e1i yu\u00e8 x\u012dhuan hu\u00e0hu\u00e0r.) \u8d8a\u2026\u8d8a\u2026 (yu\u00e8\u2026yu\u00e8\u2026) signifies that the degree of something changes as the situation develops. While \u8d8a\u6765\u8d8a (yu\u00e8 l\u00e1i yu\u00e8) focuses on time, \u8d8a\u2026\u8d8a\u2026 (yu\u00e8\u2026yu\u00e8\u2026) specifically indicates situational changes. We are going to focus on three commonly used sentence structures:<\/p>\n\n\n\n (1) Subject + <\/strong>\u8d8a<\/strong> + Verb + <\/strong>\u8d8a<\/strong> + Adjective \/ Mental Verb<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In this structure, the first \u8d8a (yu\u00e8) is followed by a verb, and the second \u8d8a (yu\u00e8) is followed by an adjective or a mental verb. It highlights how the degree of the adjective or mental verb changes with the evolution of the first action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u6c49\u8bed\u8d8a\u5b66\u8d8a\u96be\u3002(H\u00e0ny\u01d4 yu\u00e8 xu\u00e9 yu\u00e8 n\u00e1n) \u8fd9\u4e2a\u95ee\u9898\u8d8a\u60f3\u8d8a\u590d\u6742\u3002(Zh\u00e8ge w\u00e8nt\u00ed yu\u00e8 xi\u0103ng yu\u00e8 f\u00f9 z\u00e1.) (2) Subject + \u8d8a + Adjective 1 + \u8d8a + Adjective 2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This structure includes two different adjectives, one after each \u8d8a (yu\u00e8). This signifies that the extent of the first adjective increases the degree of the second adjective. The change in one quality brings about a corresponding change in another, creating a nuanced progression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u670b\u53cb\u8d8a\u591a\u8d8a\u597d\u3002(P\u00e9ngyou yu\u00e8 du\u014d yu\u00e8 h\u0103o.) \u82f9\u679c\u8d8a\u7ea2\u8d8a\u751c\u3002(P\u00ednggu\u014f yu\u00e8 h\u00f3ng yu\u00e8 ti\u00e1n. ) (3) Subject 1 +\u00a0\u8d8a\u00a0+ Adjective 1\/Verb 1, \u00a0Subject 2+\u00a0\u8d8a\u00a0+ Adjective2\/Mental verb 2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This is where things get a little more complex. This final structure includes two different subjects, each with their own associated adjective or verb. This format highlights the relationship between the two subjects; think about how one subject\u2019s change impacts the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u4ed6\u8d8a\u89e3\u91ca\uff0c\u6211\u4eec\u8d8a\u7cca\u6d82\u3002(T\u0101 yu\u00e8 ji\u0115sh\u00ec, w\u014fmen yu\u00e8 h\u00fat\u00fa) \u5496\u5561\u8d8a\u82e6\uff0c\u6211\u8d8a\u559c\u6b22\u559d\u3002(K\u0101f\u0113i yu\u00e8 k\u01d4, w\u014f yu\u00e8 x\u012dhuan h\u0113.) \u5929\u6c14\u8d8a\u51b7\uff0c\u6885\u82b1\u5f00\u5f97\u8d8a\u597d\u770b\u3002(Ti\u0101nq\u00ec yu\u00e8 l\u0115ng, m\u00e9ihua k\u0101i de yu\u00e8 h\u0103ok\u00e0n.) Take a look at the following sentences:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1). *\u5317\u4eac\u7684\u4eba\u8d8a\u6765\u8d8a\u5f88\u591a\u3002(B\u0115ij\u012bng de r\u00e9n yu\u00e8 l\u00e1i yu\u00e8 h\u0115ndu\u014d.) 2). *\u4ed6\u8d8a\u6765\u8d8a\u5b66\u4e60\u4e2d\u6587\u3002(Ta yu\u00e8 l\u00e1i yu\u00e8 xu\u00e9x\u00ed zh\u014dngw\u00e9n) 3). *\u8001\u5e08\u8d8a\u8bf4\uff0c\u8d8a\u6211\u4eec\u7d27\u5f20\u3002(L\u0103osh\u012b yu\u00e8 shu\u014d, yu\u00e8 w\u014fmen j\u012dnzh\u0101ng) These are all examples of common mistakes made with \u8d8a\u6765\u8d8a\u2026 (yu\u00e8 l\u00e1i yu\u00e8\u2026) and \u8d8a\u2026\u8d8a\u2026 (yu\u00e8\u2026yu\u00e8\u2026) . <\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s correct them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1) Both \u8d8a\u6765\u8d8a (yu\u00e8 l\u00e1i yu\u00e8\u2026) and \u8d8a\u2026\u8d8a\u2026 (yu\u00e8\u2026yu\u00e8\u2026) already convey the idea of increasing to a greater extent. Therefore, they don\u2019t need to be modified by other degree adverbs like \u5f88 (h\u0115n, very), \u975e\u5e38 (f\u0113ich\u00e1ng, extremely), or \u592a (t\u00e0i, too).<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00d7 \u5317\u4eac\u7684\u4eba\u8d8a\u6765\u8d8a\u5f88\u591a\u3002(B\u0115ij\u012bng de r\u00e9n yu\u00e8 l\u00e1i yu\u00e8 h\u0115ndu\u014d.) 2) You may remember that certain structures we mentioned earlier include \u201cmental verbs\u201d. In these cases, we can only use verbs that describe a mental action, such as \u60f3(xi\u0103ng, miss), \u5e0c\u671b(x\u012bw\u00e0ng, wish), \u559c\u6b22(x\u012dhuan, like), etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n General verbs like \u5403(ch\u012b, eat), \u5b66\u4e60(xu\u00e9x\u00ed, learn), and \u8dd1\u6b65(p\u0103ob\u00f9, run) can\u2019t be used in the same position. To give you a better idea of which verbs you can use here, take a look at the next section!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00d7 \u4ed6\u8d8a\u6765\u8d8a\u5b66\u4e60\u4e2d\u6587\u3002(T\u0101 yu\u00e8 l\u00e1i yu\u00e8 xu\u00e9x\u00ed zh\u014dngw\u00e9n.)<\/em> 3) Going back to the \u8d8a\u2026\u8d8a\u2026 (yu\u00e8\u2026yu\u00e8\u2026) structure that uses two different subjects, it\u2019s important to note that \u8d8a(yu\u00e8) should always come after each respective subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00d7 \u8001\u5e08\u8d8a\u8bf4\uff0c\u8d8a\u6211\u4eec\u7d27\u5f20\u3002(L\u0103osh\u012b yu\u00e8 shu\u014d, yu\u00e8 w\u014fmen j\u012dnzh\u0101ng.)<\/em> Here is a list of some common mental verbs that you can use with \u8d8a\u6765\u8d8a (yu\u00e8 l\u00e1i yu\u00e8\u2026) and \u8d8a\u2026\u8d8a\u2026 (yu\u00e8\u2026yu\u00e8\u2026):<\/p>\n\n\n\n While \u8d8a\u6765\u8d8a (yu\u00e8 l\u00e1i yu\u00e8\u2026) and \u8d8a\u2026\u8d8a\u2026 (yu\u00e8\u2026yu\u00e8\u2026) both have their own unique uses and challenges, mastery will come with practice. After reviewing the various sentence structures you can use, the mental verbs at your disposal, and the most common mistakes to watch out for, you\u2019re now equipped to start using these expressions with confidence. Look for opportunities to try them out. Tell your friend that the more you eat, the more you like the food they made you. Celebrate with your teacher that the more you practice, the more confident you feel. Keep pushing yourself, and you\u2019ll see amazing changes in time.<\/p>\n\n\n Fill in the blank with the correct structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Key<\/strong>\uff1a<\/p>\n\n\n\n After studying the language for a little while, do you find that your Chinese is getting better and better? Do you feel like the more you study, the more your fluency improves? That\u2019s a sign that you\u2019re moving in the right direction. But wait, how exactly can you tell your Chinese teacher or your friends…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":113,"featured_media":8330,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,176],"tags":[77,7,93,78,80],"post_series":[],"class_list":["post-8328","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-learn-mandarin-online","category-usage","tag-beginner","tag-grammar","tag-how-to-use","tag-intermediate","tag-self-study","entry","has-media"],"yoast_head":"\n
He is getting taller and taller\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She becomes more and more beautiful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I like painting more and more.<\/p>\n\n\nHow to Use \u8d8a\u2026\u2026\u8d8a\u2026\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n
Learning Chinese becomes harder as you go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The more you think about the problem, the more complex it seems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The more friends, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the apple gets redder, it becomes sweeter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The more he explained, the more confused we felt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The more bitter the coffee, the more I like to drink it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The colder the weather is, the better the plum flowers blossom.<\/p>\n\n\nCommon Errors With \u8d8a\u6765\u8d8a and \u8d8a…\u8d8a…<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
There are more and more many people in Beijing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He learns Chinese more and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The more the teacher talked, the more nervous we felt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u221a<\/strong> \u5317\u4eac\u7684\u4eba\u8d8a\u6765\u8d8a\u591a\u3002(B\u0115ij\u012bng de r\u00e9n yu\u00e8 l\u00e1i yu\u00e8 du\u014d.)
There are more and more people in Beijing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u221a <\/strong>\u4ed6\u8d8a\u6765\u8d8a\u559c\u6b22\u5b66\u4e60\u4e2d\u6587\u3002(T\u0101 yu\u00e8 l\u00e1i yu\u00e8 x\u012dhuan xu\u00e9x\u00ed zh\u014dngw\u00e9n.)<\/em>
He likes to learn Chinese more and more.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u221a <\/strong>\u8001\u5e08\u8d8a\u8bf4<\/em> \uff0c\u6211\u4eec\u8d8a\u7d27\u5f20\u3002(L\u0103osh\u012b yu\u00e8 shu\u014d, w\u014fmen yu\u00e8 j\u012dnzh\u0101ng.)<\/em>
The more the teacher talked, the more nervous we felt.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\nCommon mental verbs in Chinese<\/h2>\n\n\n
\u80fd\u591f(n\u00e9ngg\u00f2u)
can<\/td>\u613f\u610f(yuany\u00ec)
will<\/td>\u6562(g\u0103n)
dare<\/td>\u60f3(xi\u0103ng)
miss<\/td><\/tr>\u60f3\u8981(xi\u0103ngy\u00e0o)
want<\/td>\u559c\u6b22(x\u01d0huan)
like<\/td>\u5e0c\u671b(x\u012bw\u00e0ng)
wish<\/td> \u7231(\u00e0i)
love<\/td><\/tr>\u5e94\u8be5(y\u012bngg\u0101i)
should<\/td>\u53ef\u80fd(k\u011bn\u00e9ng)
maybe<\/td>\u7fa8\u6155(xi\u00e0nm\u00f9)
admire<\/td>\u89c9\u5f97(ju\u00e9de)
feel<\/td><\/tr>\u8ba8\u538c(t\u0103oy\u00e0n)
hate<\/td>\u5bb3\u6015(h\u00e0ip\u00e0)
be afraid<\/td>\u8ba4\u4e3a(r\u00e8nw\u00e9i)
think<\/td>\u76f8\u4fe1(xi\u0101ngxin)
believe<\/td><\/tr>\u540c\u610f(t\u00f3ngyi)
agree<\/td>\u751f\u6c14(sh\u0113ngqi)
get angry<\/td>\u64cd\u5fc3(c\u0101ox\u012bn)
take pains<\/td>\u542c\u8bdd(tinghu\u00e0)
listen to someone<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\nConclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n
Exercises<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
(Zh\u00e8 zu\u00f2 ch\u00e9ng sh\u00ec ________ r\u00e8 n\u00e0o le.)
The city is becoming more and more lively.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
(N\u01d0 ________ n\u01d4 l\u00ec, ________ ch\u00e9ng g\u014dng.)
The harder you work, the more successful you become.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
(T\u0101 de zh\u014dng w\u00e9n ________ li\u00fa l\u00ec.)
His Chinese is getting more and more fluent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
(W\u01d2 men de sh\u0113ng hu\u00f3 ________ bi\u00e0n l\u00ec.)
Our life is becoming more and more convenient.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
(Zh\u00e8 b\u011bn sh\u016b ________ y\u01d2u q\u00f9, ________ n\u00e1n f\u00e0ng xi\u00e0.)
The more interesting this book gets, the harder it is to put down.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
(T\u0101 ________ m\u00e1ng, ________ m\u00e9i sh\u00ed ji\u0101n xi\u016b x\u012b.)
The busier she gets, the less time she has to rest.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
A. \u4ed6\u8d8a\u6765\u8d8a\u5403\u5f97\u5feb\u3002
B. \u4ed6\u505a\u5f97\u8d8a\u6765\u8d8a\u597d\u3002<\/li>\n\n\n\n
A. \u5979\u8d8a\u5403\u8d8a\u80d6\u3002
B. \u5979\u8d8a\u5403\uff0c\u8d8a\u6765\u8d8a\u80d6\u3002<\/li>\n\n\n\n
A. \u6211\u4eec\u8d8a\u6765\u8d8a\u5b66\uff0c\u8d8a\u6765\u8d8a\u8fdb\u6b65\u3002
B. \u6211\u4eec\u8d8a\u5b66\uff0c\u8d8a\u8fdb\u6b65\u3002<\/li>\n\n\n\n
A. \u4ed6\u8d8a\u6765\u8d8a\u8dd1\u5f97\u5feb\u3002
B.\u4ed6\u8dd1\u5f97\u8d8a\u6765\u8d8a\u5feb\u3002<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n\n