More and More (越来越)
越来越 to describe a quality or feeling that is continuously growing or intensifying over time.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use {越来越|yuèláiyuè} + [Adjective/Verb] to describe something that is constantly increasing in degree over time.
- Use with adjectives: {天气|tiānqì} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {冷|lěng} (The weather is getting colder and colder).
- Use with psychological verbs: {我|wǒ} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {喜欢|xǐhuān} {中文|zhōngwén} (I like Chinese more and more).
- Do not use with static verbs: You cannot use this with verbs like 'to be' ({是|shì}) or 'to have' ({有|yǒu}).
Overview
Chinese grammar offers elegant structures to describe change, and among the most fundamental for A1 learners is 越来越 (yuè lái yuè). This pattern serves as the primary means to express the concept of "more and more" or "increasingly." It articulates a continuous, gradual intensification or progression of a quality or state over time. Mastering 越来越 allows you to communicate that something is consistently shifting towards a higher degree, whether it’s getting colder, becoming more expensive, or simply liking something more with each passing day.
The ubiquity of 越来越 in everyday Chinese, from casual conversations and social media to news reports and formal writing, underscores its importance. It is a highly versatile and productive pattern that enriches your ability to describe dynamic situations. For learners at the A1 level, 越来越 is a gateway to discussing trends, personal development, and environmental changes without needing complex sentence structures.
Its straightforward formation makes it accessible, yet its semantic depth provides a powerful tool for expressing nuanced changes.
Linguistically, 越 (yuè) carries the meaning of “to exceed,” “to cross,” or “to go beyond,” while 来 (lái) signifies “to come” or “to arrive.” When combined as 越来越, these characters create a vivid mental image of a characteristic continuously advancing or accumulating. This pattern inherently implies a comparison with a previous state, highlighting an ongoing trajectory rather than a static condition. Understanding this underlying meaning helps solidify its application and differentiates it from simple comparisons or statements of current degree.
How This Grammar Works
越来越 functions as an intensifier that conveys a continuous and progressive increase in a specific attribute. It describes a situation where a quality is not merely changing, but doing so incrementally and consistently over a period. Unlike stating a static characteristic (e.g., “The weather is hot”), 越来越 indicates a dynamic process (e.g., “The weather is getting hotter and hotter”).好 (hǎo, good), 冷 (lěng, cold), 贵 (guì, expensive), or 忙 (máng, busy). Mental verbs, sometimes called stative verbs of emotion or cognition, represent internal states that can intensify, such as 喜欢 (xǐhuān, to like), 爱 (ài, to love), 想 (xiǎng, to miss/want), or 明白 (míngbai, to understand).越来越 directly with verbs describing physical actions like 吃 (chī, to eat) or 跑 (pǎo, to run). An utterance like 我越来越吃米饭 (Wǒ yuè lái yuè chī mǐfàn) is ungrammatical because "eating rice" is an action, not a gradable quality that intensifies in the same way.我越来越喜欢吃米饭 (Wǒ yuè lái yuè xǐhuān chī mǐfàn, I like eating rice more and more). Here, 喜欢 (to like) is the mental verb undergoing intensification, not 吃 (to eat).越来越 is the exclusion of degree adverbs. Adverbs like 很 (hěn, very), 非常 (fēicháng, extremely), or 太 (tài, too) are inherently redundant and therefore incorrect when used immediately after 越来越. The 越来越 structure itself inherently signifies an increasing degree.天气越来越热 (Tiānqì yuè lái yuè rè, The weather is getting hotter and hotter) is correct, while 天气越来越很热 (Tiānqì yuè lái yuè hěn rè) is incorrect. The pattern already conveys the intensification; no further explicit degree modification is needed.我的中文越来越好 (Wǒ de Zhōngwén yuè lái yuè hǎo, My Chinese is getting better and better), you are implying that your Chinese is better now than it was before, and this improvement is an ongoing process.越来越.Formation Pattern
越来越 is remarkably consistent and straightforward, making it one of the most accessible A1 grammar points. Once you grasp the basic arrangement, you can apply it to a wide range of situations. The core pattern involves a subject, followed directly by 越来越, and then an adjective or mental verb.
他 (tā, he) | 他越来越高。 (Tā yuè lái yuè gāo. He is getting taller and taller.) |
越来越 | The fixed pattern indicating progressive increase. | 越来越 | |
高 gāo, tall; 漂亮 piàoliang, beautiful; 忙 máng, busy). | 高 (gāo, tall) | |
喜欢 xǐhuān, to like; 想 xiǎng, to miss/want; 明白 míngbai, to understand). | 喜欢 (xǐhuān, to like) | 我越来越喜欢吃辣的。 (Wǒ yuè lái yuè xǐhuān chī là de. I like eating spicy food more and more.) |
天气越来越冷。 (Tiānqì yuè lái yuè lěng.) — The weather is getting colder and colder.
她越来越漂亮。 (Tā yuè lái yuè piàoliang.) — She is getting more and more beautiful.
我妈妈越来越忙。 (Wǒ māma yuè lái yuè máng.) — My mom is getting busier and busier.
最近 (zuìjìn, recently), 这几年 (zhè jǐ nián, in recent years), 一天比一天 (yī tiān bǐ yī tiān, day by day). These expressions add crucial context to the ongoing change.
最近天气越来越热了。 (Zuìjìn tiānqì yuè lái yuè rè le.) — Recently, the weather has been getting hotter and hotter. (Note the optional 了 (le) at the end, indicating a change of state).
这几年生活越来越好了。 (Zhè jǐ nián shēnghuó yuè lái yuè hǎo le.) — Life has been getting better and better in recent years.
越来越 modifies a mental verb that takes an object, the object typically follows the mental verb. The object describes what is increasingly liked, missed, or understood.
他越来越想家。 (Tā yuè lái yuè xiǎng jiā.) — He misses home more and more.
我越来越明白你的意思了。 (Wǒ yuè lái yuè míngbai nǐ de yìsi le.) — I understand what you mean more and more.
了 (le): It is very common to see the aspect particle 了 (le) at the end of a sentence using 越来越. This 了 functions as a change-of-state particle, emphasizing that the progressive change is indeed taking place or has reached a new stage. While often optional, its inclusion makes the sentence sound more natural and complete, particularly in spoken Chinese.
你的中文越来越好了。 (Nǐ de Zhōngwén yuè lái yuè hǎo le.) — Your Chinese is getting better and better.
越来越 with 不 (bù) is generally not idiomatic or common in Chinese. Instead of saying
Formation Pattern
| Subject | Structure | Adjective/Verb | Particle (Optional) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
我
|
越来越
|
忙
|
了
|
我越来越忙了
|
|
天气
|
越来越
|
冷
|
了
|
天气越来越冷了
|
|
他
|
越来越
|
喜欢
|
中文
|
他越来越喜欢中文
|
|
物价
|
越来越
|
高
|
了
|
物价越来越高了
|
|
大家
|
越来越
|
支持
|
环保
|
大家越来越支持环保
|
|
这
|
越来越
|
难
|
了
|
这越来越难了
|
Meanings
This structure indicates that the degree of a quality or the frequency of an action is increasing as time passes.
Gradual Adjective Change
Describing a quality that is becoming more intense.
“{这|zhè} {个|gè} {城市|chéngshì} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {漂亮|piàoliang}。”
“{中文|zhōngwén} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {难|nán} {了|le}。”
Psychological Verb Change
Describing a feeling or preference that is growing.
“{我|wǒ} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {想|xiǎng} {家|jiā} {了|le}。”
“{他|tā} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {懂|dǒng} {我|wǒ} {了|le}。”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subj + 越来越 + Adj/Verb
|
天气越来越热
|
|
With Particle
|
Subj + 越来越 + Adj/Verb + 了
|
他越来越帅了
|
|
Negative (Rare)
|
Subj + 不再 + Adj/Verb
|
他不再越来越忙 (Note: Not standard)
|
|
Question
|
Subj + 越来越 + Adj/Verb + 吗?
|
天气越来越热了吗?
|
|
Psychological
|
Subj + 越来越 + Mental Verb
|
我越来越想家
|
|
Comparison
|
Subj + 越来越 + Adj
|
中文越来越难
|
Formality Spectrum
天气正逐渐转冷。 (Daily conversation)
天气越来越冷了。 (Daily conversation)
天越来越冷啦！ (Daily conversation)
天冷得不行了。 (Daily conversation)
越来越 vs 越...越...
Examples by Level
{天气|tiānqì} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {热|rè} {了|le}。
The weather is getting hotter.
{我|wǒ} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {忙|máng} {了|le}。
I am getting busier.
{中文|zhōngwén} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {好|hǎo} {了|le}。
My Chinese is getting better.
{这|zhè} {个|gè} {地方|dìfāng} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {美|měi} {了|le}。
This place is getting more beautiful.
{他|tā} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {喜欢|xǐhuān} {运动|yùndòng} {了|le}。
He likes sports more and more.
{我们|wǒmen} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {了解|liǎojiě} {彼此|bǐcǐ} {了|le}。
We understand each other more and more.
{这|zhè} {部|bù} {电影|diànyǐng} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {有意思|yǒuyìsi} {了|le}。
This movie is getting more and more interesting.
{物价|wùjià} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {高|gāo} {了|le}。
Prices are getting higher and higher.
{随着|suízhe} {时间|shíjiān} {的|de} {推移|tuīyí}, {我|wǒ} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {怀念|huáiniàn} {大学|dàxué} {生活|shēnghuó}。
As time goes by, I miss college life more and more.
{科技|kējì} {发展|fāzhǎn} {得|de} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {快|kuài}。
Technology is developing faster and faster.
{人们|rénmen} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {关注|guānzhù} {心理|xīnlǐ} {健康|jiànkàng} {了|le}。
People are paying more and more attention to mental health.
{这|zhè} {项|xiàng} {工作|gōngzuò} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {具|jù} {挑战性|tiǎozhànxìng} {了|le}。
This job is getting more and more challenging.
{全球化|quánqiúhuà} {让|ràng} {世界|shìjiè} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {紧密|jǐnmì} {相连|xiānglián}。
Globalization is making the world more and more closely connected.
{他|tā} {对|duì} {这|zhè} {个|gè} {项目|xiàngmù} {的|de} {兴趣|xìngqù} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {浓厚|nónghòu}。
His interest in this project is growing more and more.
{我们|wǒmen} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {意识到|yìshí dào} {环境保护|huánbǎo} {的|de} {重要性|zhòngyàoxìng}。
We are realizing the importance of environmental protection more and more.
{随着|suízhe} {经验|j{经验|jīngyàn} {的|de} {积累|jīlěilěi}, {他|tā} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {从容|cóngróng} {了|le}。
With the accumulation of experience, he is becoming more and more composed.
{在|zài} {数字化|shùzìhuà} {时代|shídài}, {人们|rénmen} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {依赖|yīlài} {人工智能|réngōng zhìnéng}。
In the digital age, people are relying more and more on AI.
{这|zhè} {种|zhǒng} {观点|guāndiǎn} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {受到|shòudào} {学界|xuéjiè} {的|de} {重视|zhòngshì}。
This viewpoint is receiving more and more attention from the academic community.
{随着|suízhe} {年龄|niánlíng} {的|de} {增长|zēngzhǎng}, {他|tā} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {淡泊|dànbó} {名利|mínglì} {了|le}。
As he ages, he is becoming more and more indifferent to fame and fortune.
{市场|shìchǎng} {竞争|jìngzhēng} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {激烈|jīliè}, {企业|qǐyè} {必须|bìxū} {创新|chuàngxīn}。
Market competition is getting fiercer and fiercer; companies must innovate.
{这种|zhèzhǒng} {审美|shěnměi} {趋向|qūxiàng} {在|zài} {年轻|niánqīng} {一代|yīdài} {中|zhōng} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {显著|xiǎnzhù}。
This aesthetic trend is becoming more and more prominent among the younger generation.
{他|tā} {的|de} {文学|wénxué} {造诣|zàoyì} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {深厚|shēnhòu}, {令人|lìngrén} {叹服|tànfú}。
His literary attainments are becoming more and more profound, which is admirable.
{在|zài} {复杂|fùzá} {的|de} {国际|guójì} {局势|júshì} {下|xià}, {各国|gèguó} {的|de} {合作|hézuò} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {关键|guānjiàn}。
In the complex international situation, cooperation between countries is becoming more and more critical.
{这|zhè} {种|zhǒng} {传统|chuántǒng} {艺术|yìshù} {形式|xíngshì} {越来越|yuèláiyuè} {难以|nányǐ} {传承|chuánchéng} {了|le}。
This traditional art form is becoming more and more difficult to pass on.
Easily Confused
Both involve 'more'.
Both imply 'more'.
Both mean 'gradually'.
Common Mistakes
我越来越是学生
我越来越喜欢学习
越来越更热
越来越热
热越来越
越来越热
越来越好喝了
越来越好喝了
他越来越有钱了
他越来越有钱了
越来越喜欢他多
越来越喜欢他
越来越冷天
天气越来越冷
越来越好地学习
越来越好地学习
越来越快地跑
跑得越来越快
越来越想他
越来越想他
越来越被喜欢
越来越受欢迎
越来越高涨的兴趣
兴趣越来越高涨
越来越变得好
越来越好
Sentence Patterns
___ 越来越 ___ 了。
我越来越喜欢 ___ 了。
随着 ___，___ 越来越 ___。
___ 越来越受到 ___ 的重视。
Real World Usage
我越来越想你了！
生活越来越好了。
我对贵公司的业务越来越感兴趣。
这个城市越来越热闹了。
外卖越来越快了。
全球气温越来越高。
Add '了'
No '更'
Use with verbs
Natural speech
Smart Tips
Always pair it with '了' to sound natural.
Use it with '喜欢' to show your passion is growing.
Don't use 越来越; use 比 instead.
Ensure the subject is clear.
Pronunciation
Tone flow
The 'yuè' in 'yuèláiyuè' is a falling tone. Maintain a steady rhythm.
Emphasis
越来越... (rising pitch on the adjective)
Emphasizes the intensity of the change.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '越来越' as a ladder. Every step you climb, you get 'more and more' high!
Visual Association
Imagine a thermometer rising. As the red line goes up, the word '越来越' appears next to it.
Rhyme
越来越，变变变，程度增加在眼前。
Story
Xiao Ming started learning Chinese. At first, it was hard. But he practiced every day. Now, he says: '我越来越喜欢中文了!' (I like Chinese more and more).
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about things in your life that are changing (e.g., your mood, the weather, your skills).
Cultural Notes
Used constantly in daily life to describe rapid societal changes.
Similar usage, often with a slightly softer tone.
Often translate the concept directly using '越嚟越'.
Derived from the verb 'to come' ({来|lái}) and 'to go' ({越|yuè} - to exceed/surpass).
Conversation Starters
你觉得中文越来越难了吗？
最近天气怎么样？
你对这个城市的感觉有什么变化？
你认为现在的科技发展对生活有什么影响？
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
天气 ___ 热了。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
他越来越更帅了。
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
It is getting hotter.
Answer starts with: 天气越...
A: 你觉得中文难吗？ B: ___
Use: 越来越, 喜欢, 中文
Which verb is NOT suitable?
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises天气 ___ 热了。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
他越来越更帅了。
了 / 越来越 / 忙 / 我
It is getting hotter.
A: 你觉得中文难吗？ B: ___
Use: 越来越, 喜欢, 中文
Which verb is NOT suitable?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
7 exercises{好|hǎo} / {中文|zhōngwén} / {我|wǒ} / {的|de} / {越来越|yuèláiyuè}
The coffee is getting more and more expensive.
Match the pairs
Choose the best sentence:
{我|wǒ} ___ {喜欢|xǐhuān}{这|zhè}{首|shǒu}{歌|gē}。
{衣服|yīfu}越来越{太|tài}{大|dà}。
{越来越|yuèláiyuè} / {交通|jiāotōng} / {忙|máng}
Score: /7
FAQ (8)
Yes, as long as it describes a quality that can change in degree.
Because 'to be' is a static state, and 越来越 requires a dynamic, changing state.
It is highly recommended to show the change is in progress, but not strictly mandatory.
越来越 is for one trend; 越...越... is for two things changing together.
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in formal contexts.
Yes, e.g., '越来越不好' (getting worse).
No, it must be followed by an adjective or a verb.
Yes, it is standard Mandarin and widely understood.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
cada vez más
Spanish requires 'cada vez' while Chinese uses the fixed '越来越' structure.
de plus en plus
French is a prepositional phrase, whereas Chinese is a fixed adverbial structure.
immer mehr
German focuses on the 'always' aspect, while Chinese focuses on the 'coming' aspect.
だんだん (dandan)
Japanese 'dandan' is an adverb of speed/manner, while '越来越' is a degree marker.
أكثر فأكثر (akthar fa-akthar)
Arabic is a literal repetition of 'more', while Chinese uses a specific grammatical construction.
越来越
It is the baseline for all other comparisons.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Continue With
Saying 'More and More' with 越来越 (yuè lái yuè)
Overview The Chinese grammar pattern **`越来越 (yuè lái yuè)`** is your primary tool for expressing **progressive, cont...
Expressing Change: 'More and More' with `越来越` (yuèláiyuè)
Overview `越来越` (yuèláiyuè) is a pivotal Chinese adverbial phrase, translating to **'more and more,' 'increasingly,'**...
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Comparing with Precision: Saying 'How Much' More (比 + Degree)
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