比较 · 相当 · 更加 · 还可以
fairly · quite, really · even more · OK, not bad
Structure
比较／相当／更加 + 形容词 · 还 + 可以／行／不错
What it means
Four words that say how much: 比较 “fairly” (mild), 相当 “quite, really” (stronger), 更加 “even more”, and 还 + 可以／行／不错 “OK, not bad”.
How it is built
Word + adjective: 今天比较冷 (It’s fairly cold today); 这个问题相当难 (This question is really quite hard). For “OK”, use 还 + 可以／行／不错: 还不错 (not bad).
When to use it
比较 compares nothing here: 今天比较冷 just means “fairly cold”. 更加 is a fuller 更, for something already true that becomes more so, and likes two-syllable words: 更加暖和, 更加努力. 还可以 is a modest “OK”.
Watch out
Use one degree word only: ✗ 比较很冷 ✓ 比较冷. The same goes for the others: no 很 alongside 相当 or 更加.
Examples
今天比较冷，多穿一点儿吧。
It’s fairly cold today; put something extra on.
这个问题相当难。
This question is really quite hard.
下了雨以后，空气更加干净了。
After the rain the air is even cleaner.
——考得怎么样？——还可以。
“How did the exam go?” “Not bad.”
Learn this in HSK 3 · Lesson 18: 一会儿冷，一会儿热 (Cold one minute, warm the next)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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