更多
gèng duō
The Mandarin phrase for "more" is 更多 (gèng duō).
更多 is used to describe a larger amount or number of something. You can use the component 更 to amplify the meaning of "more."
What does it mean word for word?
更多 is composed of 更, which means "more" or "even more" and 多, which means "many" or "much".
Which one should you use?
While 更多 describes a larger quantity, 再多 is often used to express "even more" when referring to an increasing degree or an additional amount in a sequence.
How do you pronounce it?
gèng duō
Did you know?
- The character 更 is a 'polyphone', meaning it has different pronunciations based on its meaning. While it is 'gèng' when meaning 'more', it is pronounced 'gēng' when it means 'to change' or 'to replace'.
- In many contexts, if you want to ask for 'more' of a specific food or drink, you might simply use the word 再, which literally means 'again'.
- The character 多 is composed of two versions of the character for 'moon' or 'flesh', symbolizing an accumulation or abundance.
Examples in context
- 我想要更多。I want more.This sentence shows how to use 更多 to express wanting more.Tatoeba #3742594 by egg0073, translation #521096 by CK
- 他想要更多。He wants more.Tatoeba #4754634 by egg0073, translation #1723957 by Spamster
- 我想做更多。I'd like to do more.This sentence shows how to use 更多 to express the desire to do more.Tatoeba #9965504 by GlossaMatik, translation #1142793 by CM
- 我想要更多水I want more water
- 加多一点糖Add a little more sugar
- 再加多一点辣椒Add a little more chili
- 再多一点时间A little more time
- 请给我多点时间Please give me a little more time
- 85 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a grocery store, Junjie and Jiayi are shopping.
- 俊杰 Junjie佳怡，我们需要更多苹果。Jiāyí, wǒmen xūyào gèng duō píngguǒ.Jiayi, we need more apples.
- 佳怡 Jiayi好的，我去找找。Hǎo de, wǒ qù zhǎo zhǎo.Okay, I will go look for them.
- 俊杰 Junjie这里的苹果很新鲜。Zhèlǐ de píngguǒ hěn xīnxiān.The apples here are very fresh.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那我们多买一点吧。Nà wǒmen duō mǎi yīdiǎn ba.Then let's buy a few more.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
