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多 V 些 A,少 V 些 B

do more A and less B

Structure
多 动词 些 A , 少 动词 些 B

What it means

Paired, slogan-like advice: 'do more A and less B'. 多 and 少 are adverbs before the verb, and 些 (一些) keeps the tone mild.

How it is built

多 + verb + 些 + A,少 + verb + 些 + B: 多读些书,少玩些游戏 (Read more books, play fewer games). The halves are parallel, with the same verb or two of a kind. 些 can drop: 多读书,少玩手机.

When to use it

Titles, editorials and advice. With nouns alone the form is 多一些…,少一些…: 多一些理解,少一些抱怨.

Watch out

In standard writing 多/少 go before the verb: ✗ 谈少些主义 ✓ 少谈些主义 (吃多点 is southern speech). 很多/很少 do not fit: ✗ 研究很多问题,谈很少主义.

Examples

多研究些问题,少谈些“主义”。
Study more problems and talk less of “isms”.
年轻人应该多读些书,少玩些游戏。
Young people should read more books and play fewer games.
开会的时候,多讲些实际的,少说些客套话。
In meetings, say more of substance and fewer empty pleasantries.
Learn this in Lesson 257 · HSK 9+: 问题与主义 (Problems and isms)
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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