Meaning of 更
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- more
- even more
- further
- still
- still more
- to change or replace
- to experience
- one of the five two-hour periods into which the night was formerly divided
- watch (e.g. of a sentry or guard)
How to use 更
As an adverb, 更 (gèng) goes before an adjective or verb to mean "even more," often after comparing two things. Example: 今天比昨天更冷。(Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān gèng lěng.) Today is even colder than yesterday. In compounds about changing or renewing, such as 更新 (gēngxīn) and 更改 (gēnggǎi), it is read in the first tone.
Picture the bottom stroke of 更 as a long swoop that keeps going further than the box above it, just as 更 (gèng) pushes a comparison "even more." When you see it in words about changing, like 更换 (gēnghuàn), read it as gēng.
Common mistake: Learners often read 更新 and 更换 with the fourth tone. In these change words the correct reading is first tone, gēng. Also, do not put 很 before 更. Say 更好 (gèng hǎo), not 很更好.
更 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
更 gèng · more · 7 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Related words
Words that share a character with 更.
| 更加 | gèngjiā | more (than sth else); even more |
| 更新 | gēngxīn | to replace the old with new; to renew |
| 更换 | gēnghuàn | to replace (a worn-out tire etc); to change (one's address etc) |
| 更是 | gèng shì | even more (so) |
| 变更 | biàngēng | to change; to alter |
| 更改 | gēnggǎi | to alter |
| 更衣室 | gēngyīshì | change room; dressing room; locker room; (euphemism) toilet |
| 自力更生 | zìlì-gēngshēng | regeneration through one's own effort (idiom); self-reliance |
| 更为 | gèngwéi | even more |
| 更深 | gēngshēn | deep at night |
| 更正 | gēngzhèng | to correct; to make a correction |
| 更衣 | gēngyī | to change clothes; to go to the toilet (euphemism) |
Questions about 更
What does 更 mean?
更 (gèng) means "more; even more" and is used as a adverb.
How do you write 更?
更 is made of 1 character: 更 (7 strokes). That is 7 strokes in total.
Is 更 an HSK word?
Yes. 更 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 更 and 更加?
Both mean "even more" and often swap freely. 更加 (gèngjiā) sounds a bit more formal and is common before two-syllable words, while 更 is shorter and fits everyday speech.
Can I use 更 in a 比 comparison sentence?
Yes. 更 fits naturally in 比 sentences, as in 他比我更高 (tā bǐ wǒ gèng gāo), He is even taller than me. It suggests both things already have the quality, and one has more of it.