Beginner · Approx. HSK 2 · 12–15 min
Making Comparisons with 比用“比”比较
Learn how to compare people, things, prices and weather using 比 (bǐ) . Start with a simple pattern, then add useful details such as “a little” and “much more.”
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今天比昨天冷。
Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān lěng.
Today is colder than yesterday.
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01 · Main pattern 02 · More uses 03 · Compare 04 · Common mistakes 05 · Quiz 06 · Build sentences 07 · Speak 01
The simple 比 comparison Use A + 比 + B + adjective to say that A has more of a quality than B. The adjective itself expresses the difference.
Weather
今天比昨天冷。
Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān lěng.
Today is colder than yesterday.
People
我比弟弟高。
Wǒ bǐ dìdi gāo.
I am taller than my younger brother.
Prices
这个比那个便宜。
Zhège bǐ nàge piányi.
This one is cheaper than that one.
Difficulty
汉语比英语难吗？
Hànyǔ bǐ Yīngyǔ nán ma?
Is Chinese harder than English?
💡 In a basic 比 comparison, 高 already means “taller,” 冷 means “colder,” and so on. You do not need a separate Chinese word for “-er.”
02
Say how much—and how to say “not as … as” Add 一点儿 (yìdiǎnr) for a small difference or 多了 (duō le) for a big one. For “A is not as … as B,” use A + 没有 + B + 那么 + adjective .
A little
今天比昨天冷一点儿。
Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān lěng yìdiǎnr.
Today is a little colder than yesterday.
A lot
这家店比那家贵多了。
Zhè jiā diàn bǐ nà jiā guì duō le.
This store is much more expensive than that one.
Not as busy
我没有你那么忙。
Wǒ méiyǒu nǐ nàme máng.
I am not as busy as you.
A question
你的房间比我的大吗？
Nǐ de fángjiān bǐ wǒ de dà ma?
Is your room bigger than mine?
💡 A neutral comparison is usually 比 + adjective , not 比 + 很 + adjective . You can use more advanced degree words such as 更 in certain comparisons later.
03
Compare two ways to describe a difference Compare the meaning and the word order. Both describe relative qualities, but the second pattern expresses “not as … as.”
More expensive
这本书比那本贵。
Zhè běn shū bǐ nà běn guì.
This book is more expensive than that one.
Not as expensive
这本书没有那本那么贵。
Zhè běn shū méiyǒu nà běn nàme guì.
This book is not as expensive as that one.
Taller
他比我高。
Tā bǐ wǒ gāo.
He is taller than me.
A little taller
他比我高一点儿。
Tā bǐ wǒ gāo yìdiǎnr.
He is a little taller than me.
04
Common mistakes to avoid ✗ Avoid 很 in a simple 比 structure
我比你很高。
Wǒ bǐ nǐ hěn gāo.
Not the natural basic pattern for “I am taller than you.”
✓ 比 + adjective
我比你高。
Wǒ bǐ nǐ gāo.
I am taller than you.
✗ Do not reverse the two items
这个比那个便宜。
Zhège bǐ nàge piányi.
This means this one is cheaper—not that one.
✓ Switch items to change the meaning
那个比这个便宜。
Nàge bǐ zhège piányi.
That one is cheaper than this one.
05
Quick quiz · 6 questions Choose the best answer. Get immediate feedback and a simple explanation.
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07
Speak like a real person! Compare things in your life. Use 比 to compare qualities, and try adding 一点儿 or 多了.
Compare today’s weather with yesterday’s. Compare two foods or drinks you like. Compare two shops or prices. Say one thing you are not as … as someone else. Show sample answers ↓ Weather
今天比昨天热。
Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān rè.
Today is hotter than yesterday.
Food
米饭比面条便宜。
Mǐfàn bǐ miàntiáo piányi.
Rice is cheaper than noodles.
Price
这个比那个贵多了。
Zhège bǐ nàge guì duō le.
This one is much more expensive than that one.
Not as busy
我没有你那么忙。
Wǒ méiyǒu nǐ nàme máng.
I am not as busy as you.
Takeaway 🌸 A + 比 + B + adjective · use 一点儿 / 多了 to show the size of the difference 今天比昨天冷一点儿。
Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān lěng yìdiǎnr.
Today is a little colder than yesterday.
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