更硬
gèng yìng
In Chinese, the English phrase 'harder' is expressed as 更硬 (gèng yìng).
更硬 is used to describe something with a more solid or firm physical texture.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 更 (gèng), meaning 'more' and 硬 (yìng), meaning 'hard'.
Which one should you use?
更硬 (gèng yìng) refers specifically to physical firmness or texture, whereas 更难 (gèng nán) is used for 'harder' in the sense of difficulty.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express 'harder than [something]', use the structure 比 (bǐ) + [object] + 更硬.
How do you pronounce it?
gèng yìng
Did you know?
- In Chinese slang, describing someone's skills as 硬 (yìng) means they are highly proficient or 'solid', regardless of whether the skill is physical.
- The character 硬 contains the radical 石 (shí), which means 'stone', visually linking the word to the hardest common natural object.
- While 硬 describes physical hardness, it is also used to describe a 'hard' bed. In China, a firm mattress is traditionally considered healthier for the back than a soft one.
Examples in context
- 老师，这个数学题比较简单，我们可以做一个更难的吗？Teacher, this math problem is relatively simple, can we do a harder one?
- 这个面包比那个更硬。zhège miànbāo bǐ nàge gèng yìng.This bread is harder than that one.
- 我们需要更硬的床垫。wǒmen xūyào gèng yìng de chuángdiàn.We need a harder mattress.
- 这块石头比以前更硬了。zhè kuài shítou bǐ yǐqián gèng yìng le.This rock has become harder than before.
Example conversation
Yuting and Junjie are choosing a pillow at a store.
- 雨婷 Yuting这个枕头太软了。Zhège zhěntou tài ruǎn le.This pillow is too soft.
- 俊杰 Junjie那试试这个，它更硬一些。Nà shìshì zhège, tā gèng yìng yīxiē.Then try this one, it is a bit harder.
- 雨婷 Yuting这个感觉刚好。Zhège gǎnjué gānghǎo.This one feels just right.
- 俊杰 Junjie太好了，那我们买这个吧。Tài hǎo le, nà wǒmen mǎi zhège ba.Great, let's buy this one then.
