How to Say "More" in Russian - How To Say Guide

больше

bol'she

The Russian word for more is больше (bol'she).

When combined with the particle не to form больше не, it functions as 'no more' or 'no longer' to show that an action has ceased.

Which one should you use?

больше can refer to quantity, meaning 'more' or it can refer to size, meaning 'bigger'.

больше is the comparative form of the adjective большой (big).

bol'she

The word больше shares a root with боль, meaning 'pain'. While they are different words today, they both stem from an ancient root associated with intensity and pressure.
To say 'more and more', Russians use the repetitive form всё больше и больше. The word всё literally means 'everything' or 'all', but here it acts as an intensifier.
In Russian, больше is used in the common phrase больше всех, which means 'the most'. While it looks like it means 'more than everyone', it actually functions as a superlative.

Я больше не хочу.
I don't want any more.
This sentence shows how to use больше to say one does not want something anymore.
Tatoeba #623265 by ae5s, translation #31649 by CK
Я больше не курю.
I don't smoke any more.
This sentence shows how to use больше to indicate a discontinued habit.
Tatoeba #2822153 by marafon, translation #841850 by sundown
Я больше не съем.
I can't eat any more.
This sentence shows how to use больше to indicate the cessation of an action like eating.
Tatoeba #3285833 by marafon, translation #31231 by CK
Подай еще пирожков, пожалуйста?
Pass more pastries, please?
3355 more sentences on Tatoeba

Olga and Alexander are eating dinner together.

Ольга Olga

Тебе нужно больше воды?
Tebe nuzhno bol'she vody?
Do you need more water?
Александр Aleksandr

Да, пожалуйста, налей ещё.
Da, pozhaluysta, nalej eshcho.
Yes, please, pour some more.
Ольга Olga

Хочешь больше салата?
Khochesh bol'she salata?
Do you want more salad?
Александр Aleksandr

Нет, спасибо, я наелся.
Net, spasibo, ya nayelsya.
No, thanks, I'm full.

Sources

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