得多 vs 多了 (de duō vs duō le): much more in comparisons
Both 得多 and 多了 can follow an adjective after 比 to mean 'much more', but 得多 is more formal and strictly indicates degree difference, while 多了 is colloquial and can also mark a quantity increase. In comparative sentences they are often interchangeable, but 多了 carries a stronger spoken tone and can appear after nouns to indicate 'more'.
In Chinese, both 得多 and 多了 can be placed after an adjective (stative verb) to emphasize a large difference in degree, especially in comparative 比 sentences (e.g., 他比我高得多/多了 'He is much taller than me'). The core difference lies in formality and scope: 得多 is a purely degree‑focused complement used in formal and neutral contexts, while 多了 is more colloquial and can also follow a noun or verb to express an increase in quantity (e.g., 多了三本书 'three more books'). In 比 sentences, 得多 and 多了 are often interchangeable, but 多了 is preferred in spoken language.
When to use each
Use 得多 after adjectives or stative verbs to indicate a large difference in degree, especially in formal or neutral contexts. It is the standard written form for 'much more' in comparative sentences with 比. It can also appear after verbs with 得 (e.g., 跑得快得多 'run much faster').
得多 cannot be used after a noun or verb without 得 to express a quantity increase; it is restricted to degree comparisons.
Use 多了 after adjectives in colloquial speech to emphasize a large degree, often implying a positive change or exclamation. It is also used after verbs or nouns to indicate an increase in quantity (e.g., 多了三个人 'three more people'). In comparative 比 sentences, 多了 is the natural spoken choice.
Although 多了 and 得多 overlap in 比 + adjective structures, 多了 is more emphatic and informal. In formal writing, prefer 得多.
At a glance
| 得多 | 多了 | |
|---|---|---|
| Indicates degree difference | Yes | Yes |
| Indicates quantity increase | No | Yes |
| Formality | Formal/Written | Informal/Spoken |
| Used after nouns | No | Yes (e.g., 多了两本书) |
| Used after verbs (without 得) | No (needs 得) | Yes (e.g., 吃多了) |
Examples
- 得多他比我高得多。Tā bǐ wǒ gāo de duō.He is much taller than me.Formal/written context.
- 多了他比我高多了。Tā bǐ wǒ gāo duō le.He is much taller than me.Colloquial, interchangeable with 得多 here.
- 多了我多了三本书。Wǒ duō le sān běn shū.I have three more books.Quantity increase; 得多 cannot be used.
- 得多这家餐厅的菜比那家好吃得多。Zhè jiā cāntīng de cài bǐ nà jiā hàochī de duō.The food at this restaurant is much tastier than that one.Standard formal comparative.
- 多了今天比昨天冷多了。Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān lěng duō le.Today is much colder than yesterday.Natural spoken usage.
- 得多你家的学校远得多吗？Nǐ jiā de xuéxiào yuǎn de duō ma?Is your school much farther?Interrogative form; note correct pinyin for 学校 (xuéxiào).
Common mistakes
- Using 得多 after a noun to mean 'more in quantity': ✗ *我得多三本书 → ✓ 我多了三本书.
- Using 多了 in formal writing for degree comparisons when 得多 is expected (e.g., in an essay, 他的成绩比我好得多 is better than 好多了).
- Confusing 多了 with 了很多 (which is used after verbs, e.g., 多了很多书 vs. 多了书).
- Using 多了 in a negative comparative: ✗ *他没我高多了 → ✓ 他没我高 or 他不如我高.
FAQ
- When do I use 得多 vs 多了 after an adjective in a 比 sentence?
- Both are acceptable and mean 'much more'. 得多 is more formal and typical in writing; 多了 is colloquial and preferred in spoken Chinese. In everyday conversation, 多了 sounds more natural, while 得多 works in all registers.
- Can 得多 ever mean 'more' in terms of quantity, like 多了 does?
- No. 得多 strictly indicates degree ('much more' in comparison). To express an increase in quantity (e.g., 'three more books'), use 多了 after a noun or verb: 多了三本书, not *得多三本书.
- Is 多了 always interchangeable with 得多 in comparative sentences?
- In positive 比 + adjective sentences, they are usually interchangeable without change in meaning. However, 多了 is more emphatic and informal. In negative constructions or with verbs, their distributions differ: 多了 can follow verbs directly (吃多了), while 得多 cannot.
- What is the difference between 多得 and 多了?
- These are different structures. 多 + 得 + complement is rare (e.g., 多得多了? Actually not standard). The confusion is only between 得多 (degree complement) and 多了 (degree or quantity complement). 多得了 is not a standard pattern.