Linking adjectival verbs
10.8
They have comparative meaning when followed by 一点/一點 yīdiǎn a little more.
可以便宜一点吗？
可以便宜一點嗎？
Kěyǐ piányi yīdiǎn ma?
Can it be a little cheaper?
They also have comparative meaning when they occur in structures that indicate change.
C10.9
To explicitly express comparative meaning, precede the adjectival verb with the intensifier
更 gèng or the expression 还(要)/還(要) hái (yào).
他更高。 他还(要)高。
他還(要)高。
Tā gèng gāo. Tā hái (yào) gāo.
He is (even) taller. He is (even) taller.
C33.5
10.6 Superlative meaning
Adjectival verbs do not have a distinct superlative form. To express the superlative meaning,
precede the adjectival verb with the intensifier 最 zuì ‘most.’
他最高。 那本书最贵。
那本書最貴。
Tā zuì gāo. Nà běn shū zuì guì.
He is the tallest. That book is the most expensive.
C33.6
10.7 Adjectival verbs and comparison structures
Adjectival verbs are used in comparison structures.
Comparison structures involving 比 bǐ ‘more than’ and 没有/沒有 méi yǒu ‘less than’ typically
end with an adjectival verb or a modified adjectival verb.
我比你高。
Wǒ bǐ nǐ gāo.
I am taller than you.
我没有你高。
我沒有你高。
Wǒ méi yǒu nǐ gāo.
I am not as tall as you.
C 33
10.8 Linking adjectival verbs
The adverb 又 yòu can be used to link adjectival verbs as follows. The structure is used to
convey the meaning ‘both... and.. .’
那个男的又高又大。
那個男的又高又大。
Nàge nán de yòu gāo yòu dà.
That guy is both big and tall.
