Expressing "rather" with "bijiao"

It's rather nice to be able to read an article on how to use 比较 (bǐjiào) to mean "rather." And here it is!

Used with Adjectives

Structure

The adverb 比较 can be used to express "quite," "rather," or "relatively." It's a way of comparing one thing with a general idea instead of comparing two concrete things.

Subj. + 比较 + Adj.

Examples

• 这个 问题 比较 简单 。Zhège wèntí bǐjiào jiǎndān.This question is rather easier.
• 我 觉得 这个 价格 比较 贵 。Wǒ juéde zhège jiàgé bǐjiào guì.I think this price is rather reasonable.
• 我 上班 坐 地铁 比较 方便 。Wǒ shàngbān zuò dìtiě bǐjiào fāngbiàn.It's rather convenient for me to take the metro to work.
• 大 城市 的 工作 压力 比较 大 。Dà chéngshì de gōngzuò yālì bǐjiào dà.Working pressure in big cities are rather more.
• 我 家 离 市中心 比较 近 。Wǒ jiā lí shìzhōngxīn bǐjiào jìn.My place is rather close to downtown.
• 这 件 衬衫 大小 比较 合适 。Zhè jiàn chènshān dàxiǎo bǐjiào héshì.The size of this shirt is rather suitable.

Used with Verbs

Structure

Subj. + 比较 + Verb

Examples

• 现在 的 年轻 人 比较 喜欢 用 App 看 电视 节目 。Xiànzài de niánqīng rén bǐjiào xǐhuan yòng App kàn diànshì jiémù.Nowadays young people prefer to use App to watch TV programs.
• 我 比较 讨厌 男人 说 脏话 。Wǒ bǐjiào tǎoyàn nánrén shuō zānghuà.I hate it when men say dirty words.
• 我 父母 比较 反对 我 找 外国 男朋友 。Wǒ fùmǔ bǐjiào fǎnduì wǒ zhǎo wàiguó nánpéngyou..
• 老板 通常 都 比较 关注 利润 。Lǎobǎn tōngcháng dōu bǐjiào guānzhù lìrùn..
• 我 刚 进公司 的 时候 ，同事们 都 比较 照顾 我 。Wǒ gāng jìn gōngsī de shíhou, tóngshì men dōu bǐjiào zhàogu wǒ..

See also

• Expressing "a little too" with "you dian"
• The "zui" superlative
• Special verbs with "hen"
• Expressing "a bit too"

Sources and further reading

Books

• Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (pp. 49-50) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy