The Quantity Complement
The quantity complement (数量补语) indicates specific differences between two things or persons. It can be used to make up sentences like: "I am two years older than you", "You are two centimeters taller than me".
Pay attention
A complement is a secondary part of a sentence. It is placed after a predicate expressed by a verb or adjective, and expresses the speaker's view of the chance of success.
In sentences with , the quantity complement is used after an adjective.
Scheme
A
B
adjective
quantity complement
It can be expressed either by combining a numeral and a measurement units classifier: meter, year, gram.
Or by the following words:
Examples
哥哥比我高三公分
My brother is three centimeters taller than me
gēge bǐ wǒ gāo sān gōngfēn
哥哥比我高多了
My brother is much taller than me
gēge bǐ wǒ gāo duō le
我比姐姐小八岁
I am eight years younger than my sister
wǒ bǐ jiějie xiǎo bā suì
is placed after the adjective to specify the difference between two things or persons.
Examples
美国比中国大多少
How much bigger is USA than China?
měiguó bǐ zhōngguó dà duōshao
The quantity complement can also convey a comparison in the sentences without 比. The thing or person being compared to is not mentioned in the sentence. However, either both conversation participants know what is being talked about or they can use the context to figure it out.
Examples
现在我身体好一点儿
I feel a little better now
xiànzài wǒ shēntǐ hǎo yìdiǎnr
她姐姐聪明多了
Her sister is much smarter
tā jiějiě cōngmíng duō le
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