A 没有 B 那么 + Adjective
HSK 3- Comparison
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Used to make an inferior comparison, expressing the meaning "A is not ... (to the extent) as B".
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
This structure is used for inferior comparisons, the opposite of 比 sentences. It means "A does not reach B's level" in some respect.
那么 (like that, in that way) and 这么 (like this) are used to emphasize degree, and can be translated as "to such an extent." 这么 typically refers to things that are nearby or a degree the speaker can directly perceive.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 今天没有昨天那么热。繁: 今天沒有昨天那麼熱。Jīntiān méiyǒu zuótiān nàme rè.
Today is not as hot as yesterday.
- 汉语没有你说的那么难。繁: 漢語沒有你說的那麼難。Hànyǔ méiyǒu nǐ shuō de nàme nán.
Chinese is not as difficult as you say.
- 这件衣服没有那件那么贵。繁: 這件衣服沒有那件那麼貴。Zhè jiàn yīfu méiyǒu nà jiàn nàme guì.
This shirt is not as expensive as that one.
- 他没有哥哥那么高。繁: 他沒有哥哥那麼高。Tā méiyǒu gēge nàme gāo.
He is not as tall as his older brother.
- 我的手机没有你的这么好。繁: 我的手機沒有你的這麼好。Wǒ de shǒujī méiyǒu nǐ de zhème hǎo.
My phone is not as good as yours.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:他不比我那么高。Correct:他没有我那么高。
To express certain inferiority in comparison, use `没有`. `不比` means "not superior to" (could be equal or inferior).
- Wrong:他没有我那么很高。Correct:他没有我那么高。
Since 那么 already indicates degree, there is no need to add other adverbs of degree such as 很 or 非常.