Learn Hardcore Chinese: tiānqì hěn lěng, nǐ zuìhǎo duō chuān yìxiē yīfu. - The weather is very cold; you’d better wear some more clothes.

In everyday statements with an adjective as the predicate, Chinese usually needs a linking adverb like 很 to avoid a bare, abrupt adjective. In neutral contexts, 很 often doesn’t add real intensity; it’s sometimes called “linking hěn.” So 天气很冷 reads naturally as “it’s cold,” not necessarily “it’s very cold.” If you want to emphasize intensity, use context or adverbs like 真, 非常, or 太…了.

Can I just say 天气冷?

Yes, but it sounds terse and can imply contrast or a specific comparison (“the weather is cold (as opposed to warm)”). It’s common in headlines, written style, or as a short answer. In casual speech, 天气很冷 is the default smooth form.

What exactly does 最好 (zuìhǎo) mean here—“best” or “had better”? How strong is it?

Before a clause, 最好 means “you’d better,” i.e., a strong recommendation with a mild warning about possible negative consequences if you don’t follow it. As an adjective meaning “best,” it modifies nouns: 最好的办法 (“the best method”). Here it’s the adverbial “had better.” You can also negate: 你最好不要… (“you’d better not…”).

Where do I put 多 (duō)? Why 多穿一些衣服 and not 穿多一些衣服?

The most standard pattern is adverb 多 before the verb: 多 + V + (一)点/一些 + N → 多穿一些衣服. You may hear 穿多一点/一些 in some regions, but learners are safest with 多穿…. Note that 穿多了 means “wore too much” (excessive), which is a different structure.

Why use both 多 and 一些—aren’t they redundant?

They play different roles:

多 modifies the action: “do the action more / to a greater degree.”
一些 quantifies the noun: “some, a bit more (items/amount).” So 多穿一些衣服 = “wear more (do more wearing) [of] some additional clothes.” Alternatives: 多穿点(儿)衣服, 多穿几件衣服. Dropping 一些 is also fine: 多穿衣服 (more general).

Can I use 点/点儿 instead of 一些?

Yes. 多穿点儿衣服 is extremely common (Mainland North). Without 儿, 点 is common elsewhere: 多穿点衣服. 一些 and 点(儿) are very close in this use; 点(儿) often feels more colloquial.

Do I need a measure word with 衣服 here? When do I use 件?

With quantifiers like 一些 / 许多 / 很多, you don’t need a measure word: 一些衣服 is correct. With numerals or 几 (“several”), you do: 一件衣服 / 几件衣服. For a specific outer layer: 再穿一件外套. (Common clothing classifiers: 件 jiàn for tops/coats; 条 tiáo for pants/skirts/scarves.)

Can I say 穿更多的衣服?

Grammatically yes, but it sounds more written or comparative (“more clothes than before/than someone else”). In everyday advice, 多穿点(儿)衣服 or 再穿几件 is more natural.

Any pronunciation/tone-sandhi tips in this sentence?

很冷 hěn lěng: third + third → pronounce as [héN lěng] (the first third tone becomes a rising second).
一些: 一 changes to fourth tone before first/second/third tones → yìxiē.
衣服: yīfu; the second syllable fu is neutral tone.
你最好: 你 nǐ is often realized as a “half-third” (low) before 最 zuì.

Should I add 吧 to soften the suggestion?

You can: 你最好多穿一些衣服吧。 Adding 吧 softens the tone and makes it sound more like friendly advice. Without 吧, 最好 feels a bit firmer/more admonitory.

How is 最好 different from 应该, 得, 要?

Rough strength (soft → strong):

应该 (“should”): general recommendation/obligation. Example: 你应该多穿衣服.
最好 (“had better”): a strong suggestion implying consequences if ignored. 你最好多穿衣服.
得 / 要 (“must / have to”): necessity/requirement. 你得/要多穿衣服 can sound quite firm.

What does adding 了 after 冷 do? (天气很冷了)

Sentence-final 了 here is a change-of-state marker: “It has become cold now (compared to before).” It highlights a new situation and can make the advice feel more urgent: 天气很冷了，你最好…

Why is there just a comma between the two parts? Do I need 所以?

Chinese often uses a comma to link reason → suggestion/result. You can make the link explicit with 所以:

天气很冷，所以你最好多穿一些衣服。 You can also use the full 因为…所以… pattern:
因为天气很冷，所以你最好多穿一些衣服。

What’s the difference between 穿, 穿上, and 穿着 here?

穿: wear/put on (general). 多穿衣服 = “wear more clothes.”
穿上: emphasizes the action of putting on (getting something onto your body). 把外套穿上 = “put your coat on.”
穿着: indicates the ongoing state of being dressed in something. 他穿着厚衣服 = “He is wearing thick clothes.”

Can I drop 你 and just say 最好多穿一些衣服?

Yes. 最好多穿一些衣服 works if the addressee is clear from context or you’re speaking generally. Keeping 你 makes it explicitly directed at the listener.

Are there other natural ways to phrase this advice?

Yes, for example:

外面很冷，多穿点(儿)吧。
天气很冷，记得加件外套。
今天太冷了，穿厚点(儿)。 All are idiomatic and common in speech.