Quantity Complement with Adjectives
数量补语2：形容词+数量补语
Express the degree of difference between things using adjective + quantity complement
Place a quantity expression after an adjective to specify the exact degree or amount of difference. This often appears in comparative sentences with 比.
Common quantity complements include specific numbers (大两岁, 高五厘米), 一点儿 (a little bit), and 一些 (somewhat). Without 比, adjectives can also take quantity complements to show degree of change.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Quantity Complement with Adjectives (数量补语2：形容词+数量补语)
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Understanding 数量补语2：形容词+数量补语
In English you can say "two years older" or "a bit cooler." Chinese does the same thing by placing a quantity after the adjective. When comparing, you say A 比 B 大两岁 (A is two years older than B) — the number comes right after the adjective. This is the quantity complement for adjectives. It is particularly useful in comparisons where you want to be specific: not just "taller" but "taller by five centimeters." Two especially common complements are 一点儿 (a tiny bit) and 一些 (somewhat more). These are softer and less specific: 今天凉快一点儿 (A bit cooler today), 她的中文比我流利一些 (Her Chinese is somewhat more fluent than mine). These quantity complements make your comparisons precise and natural.
Key Points
- A 比 B + 形容词 + specific number: 姐姐比我大两岁 (Sister is two years older than me).
- A 比 B + 形容词 + 一点儿: slight difference — 今天比昨天冷一点儿.
- A 比 B + 形容词 + 一些: somewhat more — 她比我高一些.
- 一点儿 implies a small, almost negligible difference.
- 一些 implies a noticeable but moderate difference.
- Without 比, you can describe change: 今天凉快一点儿 (It is a bit cooler today — compared to before).
- 得多 and 多了 indicate a large difference: 他比我高得多 (He is much taller than me).
- The quantity complement always comes after the adjective, never before it.
Chinese people often use 一点儿 to downplay differences politely. Even if the difference is significant, saying 贵一点儿 (a little more expensive) is gentler than 贵很多 (much more expensive). This reflects the cultural preference for understatement and maintaining harmony.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
我比弟弟大两岁。
I am two years older than my younger brother.
昨天很热，今天凉快一点儿。
Yesterday was hot; today is a bit cooler.
她的中文比我流利一些。
Her Chinese is somewhat more fluent than mine.
这件衣服比那件贵二十块钱。
This piece of clothing is twenty yuan more expensive than that one.
哥哥比我高五厘米。
My older brother is five centimeters taller than me.
今天比昨天冷一点儿。
Today is a little colder than yesterday.
他比我大得多。
He is much older than me.
Large difference
这个房间比那个大一些。
This room is somewhat bigger than that one.
Common Mistakes
The quantity complement comes after the adjective, not before it. It is 大两岁, not 两岁大.
You cannot use 很 in a 比 comparison. Use a quantity complement like 一些, 一点儿, or 得多 to express the degree.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
For precise comparisons, use specific numbers: 大两岁, 高五厘米, 贵三十块.
For vague comparisons, choose your softener: 一点儿 (tiny bit) < 一些 (somewhat) < 得多 (much more).
Never use 很 with 比 — this is one of the most common mistakes. Replace 很 with a quantity complement.
Practice with personal comparisons: your height vs. a friend, prices at different stores, temperatures on different days.
Homework
Write six comparison sentences using 比 with specific quantity complements (ages, prices, heights), and four sentences using 一点儿 or 一些 to describe small differences you notice in daily life.