How to use 更、还
Noun 1 + 比 + Noun 2 + 更 / 还 + Adj.
更 and 还 can strengthen the sense of a comparison when placed before the descriptive predicate. A 比 phrase establishes the reference, and the adverb presents the first item as exceeding it on the relevant quality. The context often suggests that the reference already has that quality to a notable degree, making the further increase worth emphasizing.
Use these words after the comparison phrase rather than before the noun naming the reference. They do not specify the size of the difference; an exact measurement needs additional information. 还 can sound especially emphatic or surprising in context. Remember that ordinary 比 comparisons can stand without either adverb, so add them when that extra emphasis is useful.
Examples with pinyin and English
上海比纽约人口更多。
Shanghai's population is even bigger than New York's.
我妹妹比我更瘦。
My younger sister is even skinnier than me.
我的猫比我的狗更淘气。
My cat is even naughtier than my dog.
有时候动物比人类更聪明。
Sometimes animals are even smarter than human beings.
昨天 38 度，今天比昨天还热。
It was 38 degrees yesterday, and it's even hotter today.
What to remember
- Place 更 or 还 before the descriptive predicate.
- The 比 phrase comes before that description.
- Neither adverb measures the exact difference.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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