Quantity Complements after Adjectives in Chinese
形容词＋数量补语
A quantity complement can follow an adjective to measure the exact difference or a small degree of change. It commonly appears after a comparative adjective, as in 大两岁, or as 一点儿 and 一些 after a quality. The complement follows the adjective and remains a complete quantity phrase.
Published August 8, 2026
Reviewed August 8, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Adjective + Quantity Complement
Read the structure
A quantity complement can follow an adjective to measure the exact difference or a small degree of change. It commonly appears after a comparative adjective, as in 大两岁, or as 一点儿 and 一些 after a quality. The complement follows the adjective and remains a complete quantity phrase. Keep the model Adjective + Quantity Complement visible while you compare each sentence.
我比弟弟大两岁。
I am two years older than my younger brother.
Choose the right context
Measure an exact age, distance, or degree difference after an adjective. Use 一点儿 or 一些 for a small change in degree. Place the complete quantity phrase directly after the adjective.
昨天很热，今天凉快一点儿。
Yesterday was hot; today is a little cooler.
Respect the boundary
Do not omit the unit from an exact measured difference. Do not put 很 after a completed quantity complement. Do not assume every adjective accepts every measurement unit.
我比弟弟大两。
(I am two older than my younger brother.)
Repair the pattern
The measurement unit is missing: An exact age difference requires the complete quantity phrase 两岁. 很 trails the completed quantity complement: 一些 already completes the measured degree; 很 cannot trail it in this comparative predicate.
我比弟弟大两岁。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
我比弟弟大两岁。
I am two years older than my younger brother.
我
Adjective
This part occupies the Adjective position in the model pattern.
比
Quantity Complement
This part occupies the Quantity Complement position in the model pattern.
弟弟
Adjective
This part occupies the Adjective position in the model pattern.
大
Quantity Complement
This part occupies the Quantity Complement position in the model pattern.
两
Adjective
This part occupies the Adjective position in the model pattern.
岁
Quantity Complement
This part occupies the Quantity Complement position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
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 little cooler.
她的中文比我流利一些。
Her Chinese is somewhat more fluent than mine.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Measure an exact age, distance, or degree difference after an adjective.
- Use 一点儿 or 一些 for a small change in degree.
- Place the complete quantity phrase directly after the adjective.
Do not use it when
- Do not omit the unit from an exact measured difference.
- Do not put 很 after a completed quantity complement.
- Do not assume every adjective accepts every measurement unit.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
我比弟弟大两。
我比弟弟大两岁。
The measurement unit is missing
An exact age difference requires the complete quantity phrase 两岁.
她的中文比我流利一些很。
她的中文比我流利一些。
很 trails the completed quantity complement
一些 already completes the measured degree; 很 cannot trail it in this comparative predicate.
我比弟弟大两。
An exact age difference requires the complete quantity phrase 两岁.
她的中文比我流利一些很。
一些 already completes the measured degree; 很 cannot trail it in this comparative predicate.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 形容词＋数量补语.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 形容词＋数量补语. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
Quantity Complements after Adjectives Questions
Is this always part of a 比 sentence?
No. A 比 comparison often supplies the standard, but an adjective can also take 一点儿 or 一些 when the comparison is understood from context.
Can I say 大很多?
Yes, 很多 can measure a larger difference. This page focuses on the official elementary forms with exact quantities, 一点儿, and 一些.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, Level 2 item 【二53】, PDF p. 193 (printed p. 187)
Places adjective-plus-quantity complements at Level 2 with exact age difference, 一点儿, and 一些 examples.
Official source现代汉语语法课程讲义
包头师范学院 · 包头师范学院 · 2024
Locator: Complements, slide 39
Classifies quantity complements as post-predicate measures of amount, duration, or difference.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Continue learning
无标记数量差比较Markerless Comparison with a Quantity Difference
Connect the elementary adjective-plus-quantity pattern with advanced comparisons that omit an overt marker.
Learn first
比The 比 (bǐ) Comparison
Use a basic 比 frame to supply the comparison standard before stating an exact difference.
Easy to confuse
有点儿/一点儿有点儿 vs 一点儿: A Little
Post-adjective 一点儿 measures a difference, while pre-predicate 有点儿 often evaluates an undesirable degree.
Compare
越来越…越来越: More and More
A fixed quantity complement measures one difference, while 越来越 presents an adjective changing over time.
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Continue learning
Connect the elementary adjective-plus-quantity pattern with advanced comparisons that omit an overt marker.