Learn Comparing with 比 (bǐ) in Mandarin Chinese. Clear HSK 2 grammar explanation with examples in Chinese, pinyin, and English. Free on Dumplingo.
Comparing with 比 (bǐ) The word 比 (bǐ) is used to make comparisons in Chinese. It's similar to saying "than" in English. This is one of the most fundamental grammar patterns for expressing that something is more/less than something else. Basic structure [A] + 比 + [B] + Adjective This means "A is more [adjective] than B." Examples 1. 我比他高。 wǒ bǐ tā gāo. I am taller than him. - Here we're comparing two people's height. 2. 这本书比那本书贵。 zhè běn shū bǐ nà běn shū guì. This book is more expensive than that book. - Comparing the price of two books. 3. 今天比昨天冷。 jīntiān bǐ zuótiān lěng. Today is colder than yesterday. - Comparing temperatures of two days. Adding degree with 一点儿 / 得多 / 很多 You can specify HOW MUCH more by adding words after the adjective: - 一点儿 (yīdiǎnr) = a little bit - 得多 (de duō) = much more - 很多 (hěn duō) = a lot more 4. 她比我大一点儿。 tā bǐ wǒ dà yīdiǎnr. She is a little bit older than me. 5. 这个比那个便宜得多。 zhège bǐ nàge piányi de duō. This one is much cheaper than that one. Negative comparisons: 不比 To say something is NOT more than something else, use 不比: 6. 我不比他聪明。 wǒ bù bǐ tā cōngmíng. I'm not smarter than him. (We're about the same, or he might be smarter) Common mistakes to avoid ❌ Don't use 很 with 比 comparisons: - Wrong: 我比他很高。 - Right: 我比他高。or 我比他高很多。 ❌ Don't reverse the order: - Wrong: 高比我他。 - Right: 他比我高。 More examples 7. 汉语比英语难。 Hànyǔ bǐ Yīngyǔ nán. Chinese is harder than English. 8. 我的房间比你的房间大。 wǒ de fángjiān bǐ nǐ de fángjiān dà. My room is bigger than your room. 9. 猫比狗小。 māo bǐ gǒu xiǎo. Cats are smaller than dogs. --- Next grammar point: [Completed actions with 了 (le)](/grammar/hsk2/completed_actions_with_le)