Difference between revisions of "Basic comparisons with "bu bi""
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| + | Often Chinese speakers will say something (or someone!) is not as good/strong/smart as something else. This is one the grammar patterns they use. | ||
== Structure == | == Structure == | ||
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==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| − | + | * [[Similar|Basic comparisons with "bi"}} | |
| − | + | * [[Similar|Basic comparisons with "meiyou"}} | |
| − | + | * [[Expressing "much more" in comparisons}} | |
== Sources and further reading == | == Sources and further reading == | ||
Revision as of 08:46, 20 February 2013
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Often Chinese speakers will say something (or someone!) is not as good/strong/smart as something else. This is one the grammar patterns they use.
Contents
Structure
To say that something is not more adjective as another, you can use 不比 (bù bǐ). No snickering, please.
Subject + 不比 + Noun + Adjective
This is similar to, but not exactly the same as comparing with 没有.
Examples
- 小明 不 比 小刚 聪明。
- 我 不 比 你 胖。
- 我 不 比 你 翻译 得 好。
The Difference between 不比 and 没有
不比 and 没有 are not exactly the same. 没有 means "not as... as," whereas 不比 is a direct negation of 比, meaning "not more... than." Compare the following two English sentences:
- You're not as smart as me. (没有)
- You're not smarter than me. (不比)
You'd probably be more upset to hear the former from a friend than the latter. The two above sentences in Chinese are:
- 你 没有 我 聪明。 (I am definitely smarter than you; we're not equal in smarts.)
- 你 不 比 我 聪明。 (You're no smarter than I am, but we might be equal in smarts.)
See also
- [[Similar|Basic comparisons with "bi"}}
- [[Similar|Basic comparisons with "meiyou"}}
- [[Expressing "much more" in comparisons}}
Sources and further reading
Books
- Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar (pp. 64) →buy
