Expressing "compared with" using "gen"

If you want to do a straight-up comparison statement, go ahead and use the classic 比 (bǐ) structure. But if you want to lead with a "compared with..." phrase, you'll need a 跟 (gēn) and a slightly different word order.

Used with Two Subjects

This sentence structure is used for comparing one thing as it relates to another.

Structure

These patterns are for making a comment about B, as it relates to A.

跟 + A + 比 (起来) ,B⋯⋯

B can also come at the beginning of the sentence:

B + 跟 + A + 比 (起来) ,⋯⋯

For both of these structures, you could swap out 跟 (gēn) for (hé) with no real difference, but using 跟 (gēn) is slightly more common.

Examples

  • 上海 ,我 老家 的 物价 很 低 。Gēn Shànghǎi , wǒ lǎojiā de wùjià hěn dī.Compared to Shanghai, prices in my hometown are very low.
  • 东部 ,我 更 喜欢 美国 西部 。Gēn dōngbù , wǒ gèng xǐhuan Měiguó xībù.Compared to the eastern USA, I like the western USA more.
  • ,你 最大 的 优势 是 什么 ?Gēn, nǐ zuì dà de yōushì shì shénme?Compared to him, what is your biggest advantage?
  • 妹妹 姐姐 比起来 有点 害羞 。Mèimei gēn jiějie bǐ qǐlái yǒudiǎn hàixiū.Compared to the older sister, the younger sister is a bit shy.
  • 新 版本 旧 版本 比起来 ,多 了 一些 功能 。Xīn bǎnběn gēn jiù bǎnběn bǐ qǐlái, duō le yīxiē gōngnéng.Compared with the old version, the new version has a few more features.

Used with a Single Subject

比 (bǐ) can also be used for comparing one subject over two different time periods.

Structure

跟 + Time + 比 (起来) ,⋯⋯

Again, you could use 和 (hé) instead of 跟 (gēn) here, but using 跟 (gēn) is more common.

Examples

  • 去年 ,你 的 中文 进步 了 很多 。Gēn qùnián , nǐ de Zhōngwén jìnbù le hěn duō.Compared to last year, your Chinese has improved a lot.
  • 十 年 前 比 起来 ,中国人 的 生活 水平 提高 了 很多 。Gēn shí nián qián bǐ qǐlái, Zhōngguó rén de shēnghuó shuǐpíng tígāo le hěn duō.Compared to ten years ago, the standard of living for Chinese people has gotten much better.
  • 上个 月 ,这 个 月 的 工作 很 轻松。Gēn shàngge yuè , zhège yuè de gōngzuò hěn qīngsōng.Compared with last month, this month our work is a lot more relaxed.
  • 前 几 周 ,这个 星期 的 天气 舒服 多了 。Gēn qián jǐ zhōu , zhège xīngqī de tiānqì shūfu duō le.Compared to the past few weeks, the weather has been much more comfortable this week.
  • 刚 毕业 的 时候 比 起来 ,他 成熟 了 很 多 。Gēn gāng bìyè de shíhou bǐ qǐlái, tā chéngshú le hěn duō.Compared to when he first graduated, he's much more mature.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books