This continues from 數量補語数量补语 shùliàng bǔyǔ Quantity Complement 1. Here the same idea — a number placed after the key word — does two new jobs: measuring the exact difference in a comparison, and measuring how long a continuous action went on.

1 Adj + Quantity Complement — Exact Difference in a Comparison

In a 比比 bǐ comparison sentence, you can add a number right after the adjective to say exactly how much more or less one thing is.

2 V + Duration — How Long an Action Lasted

When the verb describes something you can keep doing for a while — resting, staying, studying, waiting — add a length of time after it to say how long it went on.

1. S + V + duration

2. S + V + O + V + duration

When the verb already has an object, repeat the verb before adding the time.

3. S + V + O(person) + duration

When the object is a person, it can sit directly between the verb and the time — no need to repeat the verb.

4. S + V + duration + 的的 de + O

With a handful of set verb-object phrases like 游泳游泳 yóuyǒng (swim) or 睡覺睡觉 shuìjiào (sleep), the time slots in before the object with 的的 de.

3 Practice

Translate each sentence into Chinese, then tap the card to check your answer.