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Breakdown of Zhè gè yánsè bú tài héshì, wǒ gèng xǐhuan lánsè.
我wǒ
I
不bù
not
这zhè
this
个gè
noun classifier
Used when counting nouns or when specifying a specific instance of a noun.
There are also classifiers for people, for bound items such as books and magazines, for cups/glasses, etc.
The classifier 个 is a general one that can be used for any of these.
喜欢xǐhuan
to like
太tài
too
更gèng
more
蓝色lánsè
blue
颜色yánsè
color
合适héshì
suitable
Questions & Answers about Zhè gè yánsè bú tài héshì, wǒ gèng xǐhuan lánsè.
Why is there a 个 (gè) after 这 (zhè)?
Mandarin normally needs a measure word between a demonstrative and a noun: 这 + 个 + 颜色. 个 is the default measure. Without a classifier, 这颜色 is colloquial/regional; stick with 这个颜色 in standard speech and writing.
Should it be 这个颜色 or 这种颜色?
- 这个颜色 points to a specific color/shade you can see (e.g., on a shirt on the rack).
- 这种颜色 means this kind/type of color (category). Both are common. When counting kinds, use 种: 三种颜色, not 三个颜色.
What’s the difference between 合适 (héshì) and 适合 (shìhé)?
- 合适 is an adjective: 这个颜色不太合适。
- 适合 is a verb/adjectival verb that takes an object: 这个颜色不太适合我。
- Before a noun: 合适的 + 名词 (e.g., 合适的尺寸). With 适合, say 适合 + 名词/代词 (e.g., 适合你).
- To state the viewpoint: 对我来说很合适, or simply 适合我.
Does 不太 mean not too or not very?
It means not very / not quite, a polite softener: 不太合适 = not quite suitable. Contrast:
- 太 + adj + 了: 太合适了 (so/too suitable).
- 不合适: bluntly unsuitable.
- 不是很合适 / 不怎么合适: also soft; 不是很 is a bit milder than 不太.
Why is 不 pronounced bú here?
Tone sandhi: 不 (bù) changes to bú before a fourth-tone syllable. 太 (tài) is fourth tone, so 不太 is bú tài. Otherwise it stays bù:
- búyào, búduì, búshì
- but bùxíng, bùmáng
How do you pronounce 喜欢?
Standard Putonghua is xǐhuan (neutral tone on huan). You may hear xǐhuān in some regions or careful speech; both are understood, but the neutral second syllable is the norm.
Why use 更 (gèng)? How is it different from 比较 or 更加?
- 更 marks a direct comparison: 我更喜欢蓝色 (I like blue more [than the one just mentioned]).
- 比较 means rather/relatively: 我比较喜欢蓝色 (I kind of prefer blue; not necessarily contrasted right now).
- 更加 is like 更 but a bit more formal/emphatic.
Do I need a word for than (like English)?
You can add 比 to state it explicitly:
- 我比他更喜欢蓝色。 (I like blue more than he does.)
- 我更喜欢蓝色而不是红色。 (…rather than red.) Without 比, the comparison is understood from context (the earlier color mentioned).
Should there be 的 after 蓝色?
- 我更喜欢蓝色。 = I prefer the color blue (as a concept).
- 我更喜欢蓝色的（衣服/那件）。 = I prefer the blue one(s).
Use 的 when the noun is omitted or when you’re talking about blue-colored items.
Is 这个颜色不合适 also okay?
Yes. It’s stronger/blunter. 不太合适 softens the judgment and is more polite in shopping or giving feedback.
Can I say 这个颜色对我不太合适?
More idiomatic options:
- 这个颜色不太适合我。 (best)
- 这个颜色对我来说不太合适。 Plain 对我不太合适 without 来说 is heard but less standard.
When do I use 蓝 versus 蓝色?
- 蓝色 (lánsè) is the noun blue (the color).
- 蓝 (lán) is the adjective blue: 蓝的衣服 / 蓝衣服. With 喜欢, both occur depending on meaning:
- 我喜欢蓝色。 (the color)
- 我喜欢蓝色的（衣服）。 (blue ones)
What’s the difference between 颜色 and 色彩?
颜色 is everyday color. 色彩 is more literary/arts-related: hues/tonalities, or figurative coloring (e.g., 民族色彩). In shopping talk, use 颜色.
Why a comma ， in the middle?
Chinese often links related clauses with a comma without a conjunction. You could add 但是/不过 for contrast:
- 这个颜色不太合适，不过我更喜欢蓝色。
Can I drop 我 in the second clause?
Yes, if context is clear: 这个颜色不太合适，更喜欢蓝色。 Chinese allows subject omission when recoverable from context.
Where does 更 go?
Place it before the predicate it modifies:
- Correct: 我更喜欢蓝色。
- Incorrect: 我喜欢更蓝色。 or 我喜欢蓝色更。
How do I pronounce 更 here?
As gèng (fourth tone) meaning more. The pronunciation gēng (first tone) is a different word meaning to change (e.g., 更改 gēnggǎi).
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