hanlib

Introduction to Literary Chinese - Lesson 7, Text 3

Adapted from the 1927 book by J. Brandt

Grammatical section.

THE COMPARATIVE PARTICLES.

The following are the particles which are used in comparative constructions.

A. Single particles:

比較於平

The single particles are used when two or many objects are compared and when one object is represented as more preferable to another or many others. The meaning of these particles corresponds to the English “than”.

B. Compound particles:

寧...不 (or 莫) 寧可不可與其不如 (or 莫如, 不若, 何如, 寧)

The compound particles are used when two actions or states are compared and when one of them is represented as more preferable.

The combinations:

寧...不 or 寧可, 不可

mean: “it is better... than”.

The combinations:

與其不如 (or 莫如, 不若, 何如, 寧)

mean: “as compared with... it is better (or 'there is nothing equal' etc.)”

When it is only stated that an object, state or action is more preferable without comparing it with any other, the particles: 不如不若, 寧, are used. These particles correspond to the English expressions: “better”, “it is better”.

Examples of using the comparative particles

① 番人造船比中國更固

The ships built by foreigners are more solid than the Chinese ships (lit. China).

② 番山材木比內地更堅

The timber from the foreign hills is more substantial than (the timber) from the interior.

③ 漢之爲患較江爲尤甚

The trouble caused by the Han is still greater than (that caused by) the Yang-tzu (is an expletive).

④ 此時進口之船較之岸邊房屋則高

At this time the vessels that enter the port are higher than the houses on the banks.

⑤ 死亦我所惡。所惡有甚於死者。

I dislike death indeed, but there is that which I dislike more than death.

⑥ 貴於銀

More valuable than silver.

⑦ 子貢賢於仲尼

Tzu-kung is superior to Chung-ni.

⑧ 今天下之害民者。莫甚於州縣之書吏差役。

Of the things in the world which hurt the people at the present time, there is nothing worse than the clerks and official servants of the sub-prefectures and districts.

⑨ 吾一日長平爾

I am a day older than you are.

⑩ 回異乎吾所聞

Different from what I heard.

⑪ 寧死不去

I would rather die than go.

⑫ 寧可人負我不可我負人

Better to be the victim of ingratitude than to be ungrateful.

⑬ 寧可正而不足。不可邪而有餘。

Better to be straightforward and wanting in ability than unprincipled and clever.

⑭ 寧减十年壽。莫受老來貧

I would rather have my life shortened ten years than suffer poverty in my old age.

⑮ 寧作太平犬。莫作離亂人。

Better be a dog, in times of general peace than a man in the midst of civil wars.

⑯ 寧可爲窮人補破衣。不可與富人爲妾

Better mend the torn clothes of a pauper than be the concubine of a rich man.

⑰ 與其遲到。不如不到。

Better not come at all than come late.

⑱ 與其悔之於終。不如愼之於始。

Repentance at the end is not so good as caution in thebeginning.

⑲ 伊已年老無用。不如服毒。

Being old and useless, she had better poison herself.

⑳ 寧缺而勿用

It is better to keep the post vacant and not employ any one.