Mandarin Comparative

Question 1

How the the grammar particle “bǐ” used?

Answer 1

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.”

Question 2

This house is prettier than that one.

Answer 2

Zhè dòng fángzi bǐ nà dòng fángzi piàoliang.

Question 3

My older brother is taller than me.

Answer 3

Wǒ de gēgē bǐ wǒ gāo.

Question 4

Our house is bigger than the one next door.

Answer 4

Wǒmen de fángzi bǐ gébì de dà.

Question 5

Explain how to use the modifier Bǐ

Answer 5

Sometimes you may need to modify bi with a little (yīdiǎn) or a lot (de duō). These modifiers are placed after the Stative Verb.

Question 6

Zhè dòng fángzi bǐ nà dòng fángzi xiǎo yīdiǎn.

Answer 6

This house is a little bit smaller than the other one.

Question 7

Wǒ de mèimèi bǐ wǒ ǎi de duō.

Answer 7

My younger sister is a lot shorter than me.

Question 8

How is the particle gèng used in a comparison?

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

My older brother is taller than me, but my father is even taller.

Answer 9

Wǒ de gēgē bǐ wǒ gāo. Wǒ de bàba gèng gāo.

Question 10

It is more expensive to travel to Japan than the Philippines. Going to America is even more expensive.

Answer 10

Dào Rìběn lǚyóu bǐ dào fēilǜbīn guì. Dào Měiguó gèng guì.

Question 11

Zài zhàopiàn lǐ, guōjìngmíng jǐnjǐn bǐ chēmén gāo chū shǎoxǔ.

Answer 11

In the photo, GJM just a bit higher than the door.

Question 12

Explain The Mandarin particle zuì

Answer 12

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

Question 13

He is the tallest in our class.

Answer 13

Tā shì bān shàng zuì gāo de.

Question 14

She has the best grades.

Answer 14

Tā de chéngjī zuì hǎo.

Question 15

That was the longest movie I’ve ever seen.

Answer 15

Nà shì wǒ kàn guò zuì cháng de diànyǐng.

Question 16

Ice cream is my favorite desert.

Answer 16

Bīngqílín shì wǒ zuì xǐhuan de tiándiǎn.

Question 17

She is my favorite singer.

Answer 17

Tā shì wǒ zuì xǐ ài de gēxīng.

Question 18

Nothing Better (common expression)

Answer 18

If someone makes a very good suggestion, you can show your approval by saying “There’s nothing better” - zuì hǎo bù guò le.

Question 19

There’s nothing better than this. (Great idea!)

Answer 19

Zuì hǎo bù guò le.

Question 20

Explain the Mandarin Chinese comparison which means “less than”

Answer 20

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.”

Question 21

Chicken is less expensive than beef.

Answer 21

Jī ròu méiyǒu niú ròu guì.

Question 22

I am not as short as my cousin.

Answer 22

Wǒ méiyǒu biǎoqīn ǎi.

Question 23

In mandarin, the distance between two places is expressed how?

Answer 23

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).

Question 24

My house is very close to the train station.

Answer 24

Wǒ jiā lí huǒchēzhàn hěn jìn.

Question 25

It’s very far from the school to the library.

Answer 25

Xuéxiào lí tú shū guǎn hěn yuǎn.

Question 26

It’s not far from here to the park.

Answer 26

Zhèlǐ lí gōngyuán bù yuǎn.

Question 27

It’s not very close from downtown to here.

Answer 27

Shìqū lí zhèlǐ bù hěn jìn.

Question 28

Is it very far from the hospital to the bus station?

Answer 28

Yīyuàn lí chēzhàn hěn yuǎn ma?

Question 29

Is it very close from your house to his house?

Answer 29

Nǐ jiā lí tā jiā hěn jìn ma?

Question 30

How far is it from here to the market?

Answer 30

Zhèlǐ lí shìchǎng yuǎn bù yuǎn?

Question 31

How far is it from Los Angeles to San Francisco?

Answer 31

Luòshānjī lí jiùjīnshān duō yuǎn?

Question 32

When we wish to show contrast between two things or ideas, we can use what paired connectors?

Answer 32

When we wish to show contrast between two things or ideas, we can use the paired connectors suīrán and kěshì. Alternatives to kěshì are dànshì and búguò

Here are the Chinese characters, traditional / simplified:

suīrán 雖然 / 虽然
kěshì 可是
dànshì 但是
búguò 不過 / 不过

Suīrán means “although” or “even though”. It is used in the first clause, usually after the subject. Kěshì, dànshì, or búguò are used in the second clause, usually before the verb or verb phrase. Any of these connecting words can be omitted.

Question 33

Suīrán tā tiào de bùhǎo, dànshì guānzhòng hěn xǐhuan.

Answer 33

Even though her dancing is not good, the spectators like her.

Question 34

Tā de gèzi suī xiǎo, bùguò lìqi hěn dà.

Answer 34

He may be small, but he’s strong.

Question 35

Wǒ hěn xǐhuan zhè jiàn yáng zhuāng, kěshì tài guì le.

Answer 35

I really like this dress, but it’s too expensive.

Question 36

Can you show how to convey the idea of however, on the contrary, otherwise, etc.?

Answer 36

When showing contrast in Mandarin Chinese, certain characters appear in pairs. The following examples show how to convey the idea of however, on the contrary, otherwise, etc.

Verb Contrast

Stative verbs (verbs or verb phrases which indicate a condition or static state) can be used in the pattern of SV 是 SV (Stative Verb shì Stative Verb) to convey the meaning of “it’s SV all right …”. This is followed by a contrasting clause which usually begins with “but” (dàn, dànshì, kěshì).

Phrases Beginning With Contrast Connectors

There are several connectors which function as contrast indicators to the preceding phrase. These connectors can start a new sentence or phrase.

Contrast connectors include bú guò 不過 / 不过 (however, nevertheless), fǎn ér 反而 (on the contrary), yào bù rán 要不然 (otherwise), and fǒu zé 否則 / 否则 (otherwise).

Question 37

This dress is beautiful all right, but it’s too expensive.

Answer 37

Zhè jiàn yáng zhuāng piàoliang shì piàoliang kěshì tài guì le.

Question 38

I would like to travel in Europe, but I don’t have any money.

Answer 38

Wǒ xiǎng qù guò ōuzhōu lǚxíng, bùguò wǒ méiyǒu qián.

Question 39

After I took the pain killer, contrary to what I expected, my headache got worse.

Answer 39

Chī le zhǐtòng yào hòu, tou fǎnér yuè tong.

Question 40

Get up quickly or otherwise you’ll be late for school.

Answer 40

Kuài diǎn qǐchuáng yào bù rán shàngxué huì chídào.

Question 41

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You had better make a reservation, otherwise you’ll have to wait a long time.

Answer 41

Nǐ zuìhǎo xiān dìng wèi fǒuzé huì děng hěn jiǔ