更 gèng even more

源How it came to be

A hand with a stick, striking something to change it. The oldest meaning is to change or replace. Doing a thing once more gave the meaning even more.

用How it is used

• "Even more" - one notch up in a comparison: 更好 (gèng hǎo) even better, 更喜欢 (gèng xǐhuan) like even more, 更重要的是 (gèng zhòngyào de shì) more importantly.
• gèng implies an existing baseline is already high; contrast 最 (zuì, most) which is the top, and 越来越 (yuèláiyuè, more and more) which is progressive.
• Second reading gēng means 'to change/renew' - 更换 (gēnghuàn) replace, 更新 (gēngxīn) update, 更衣室 (gēngyīshì) changing room.

字Characters built with 更

• 便 convenient
• 硬 firm
• 哽 to sob
• 鞭 whip

词Words with 更

• 更加gèngjiāmore (than something else)HSK 4
• 更换gēnghuànto replace (a worn-out tire etc)HSK 5
• 更新gēngxīnto replace the old with newHSK 5
• 变更biàngēngto changeHSK 7
• 更改gēnggǎito alterHSK 7
• 更正gēngzhèngto correctHSK 7
• 更衣室gēngyīshìchange roomHSK 7
• 自力更生zìlì-gēngshēngregeneration through one's own effortHSK 7

句Example sentences

• 今天更冷了。 Jīntiān gèng lěng le.It got much colder today.