grammar → 多/少
TSUMUGU · TBCL 2 (est.) · 語法
多/少 grammar point · tier 2 · 多/少 + verb — dial the amount up or down
Set 多 or 少 before the verb to do more or less of the action.

字源 FORM what the parts do

多 is a plate heaped with one more slice (夕 on 夕); 少 is sand running out between the fingers. The one that sits in front of the verb sets which way the amount moves.

故事 STORY a scene to remember it by

A dial in front of the action: turn it to 多 and the amount climbs, turn it to 少 and it drops.
字源記憶法
框 · Frame
[subj] 多/少 [verb] (一)點/一些 [obj]
觸 · Trigger
You want someone to do a bit more or a bit less of something.
序 · The move
1pick the direction: more is 多, less is 少which way is the amount moving?
2put 多 or 少 in front of the verbis it before the verb, not after?
3name the verb, then the amount: (一)點 or 一些 + objectis the amount on the object, not a second 多/少?
例 · Examples
1你可以more (of the action)eat一點a bit水果。哥哥應該less (of the action)drink點啤酒。
You could eat a bit more fruit. Your brother should drink less beer.
界 · Boundary
多/少 before the verb adjusts your own action up or down; 比 sets A against B. 多吃 is eat more; 我比他吃得多 measures who eats more.
得-degree
多/少 sits before the verb to ask for a different amount; 得 sits after to report how it came out. 多吃 means do more eating; 吃得多 reports a lot got eaten.
amount after verb only: 你吃多一點 → 你多吃一點
doubling the quantity word: 少喝少一點 → 少喝一點
using 少 for the more direction: 少穿衣服 (when you mean dress more warmly) → 多穿衣服
English puts more/less after the verb (eat more); Mandarin puts 多/少 before it (多吃).