多 / 少【duō / shǎo】

多 and 少 can go straight before a verb as adverbs: 多 + verb is "do more of it", 少 + verb is "do less". The usual setting is advice.

点儿 or 一点儿 after the verb softens it and is very common.

With a number: more or fewer than planned

A number after the verb says how many more or fewer than expected. 了 often follows the verb.

Before the verb, not after

English says "eat more" with "more" at the end. In Chinese 多 goes in front.

• × 你应该吃多 → 你应该多吃
• × 请说更多一点儿 → 请多说一点儿

多吃 or 吃多了

After the verb, 多 is a result: 吃多了 is "ate too much". Before the verb it is advice about doing more.