Difference between revisions of "Basic comparisons with "bi""
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== Pattern Using 比 (bǐ) and 更 (gèng) == | == Pattern Using 比 (bǐ) and 更 (gèng) == | ||
− | This is a slight upgrade of the basic 比 (bǐ) comparison pattern, adding in [[" | + | This is a slight upgrade of the basic 比 (bǐ) comparison pattern, adding in [[Expressing "even more" with "geng"|更 (gèng) before the adjective]]. 更 (gèng) means "even more," so the idea is that while one thing is already quite [adjective], this other thing is '''''even more''''' [adjective]. Pretty simple! |
=== Structure === | === Structure === | ||
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{{Similar|Basic comparisons with "bu bi"}} | {{Similar|Basic comparisons with "bu bi"}} | ||
{{Similar|Basic comparisons with "meiyou"}} | {{Similar|Basic comparisons with "meiyou"}} | ||
+ | {{Similar|Expressing "even more" with "geng"}} | ||
{{Used for|Comparing}} | {{Used for|Comparing}} | ||
{{POS|Prepositions}} | {{POS|Prepositions}} |
Revision as of 03:36, 8 May 2017
- Also known as: 比字句 (bǐ zì jù).
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Level
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Similar to
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Used for
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Keywords
One of the most common words when comparing things in Chinese is to use 比 (bǐ). 比 (bǐ) has similarities to the English word "than," but it requires a word order that's not so intuitive, so you'll want to practice it quite a bit.
Contents
Basic Pattern Using 比 (bǐ)
You could think of 比 (bǐ) as meaning "than," except that it sits between the two things being compared. The word order will take a little getting used to, but aside from that, the pattern is quite easy.
Structure
To say that one thing is more adjective than another, the structure is:
Noun 1 + 比 + Noun 2 + Adj.
The noun that's placed first is the one that comes out on top in the comparison. So in the sentence:
- 小李 比 小张 高 。Xiao Li is taller than Xiao Zhang.
小李 (Xiǎo Lǐ) is taller. The same situation could be described as
- 小张 比 小李 矮 。Xiao Zhang is shorter than Xiao Li.
Examples
- 他 比 老师 聪明 。He is smarter than the teacher.
- 上海 比 纽约 大 吗 ?Is Shanghai bigger than New York?
- 她 比 她 妈妈 漂亮 。She is prettier than her mother.
- 星巴克 的 咖啡 比 这里 的 咖啡 贵 。The coffee at Starbucks is more expensive than the coffee here.
- 地铁 比 公交车 方便 。The subway is more convenient than the bus.
Common Errors
Try not to make these mistakes:
The adjective used in the comparison should be positive, not negative.
- 我 比 你 不 聪明 。I am not smarter than you. (incorrect)
- 你 比 我 聪明 。You are smarter than me. (correct)
比 (bǐ) is not used with 一样 (yīyàng). 比 (bǐ) is used when two things are not the same.
- 我 比 你 一样 聪明 。I am as smart as you. (incorrect)
- 我 跟 你 一样 聪明 。I am as smart as you. (correct)
Pattern Using 比 (bǐ) and 更 (gèng)
This is a slight upgrade of the basic 比 (bǐ) comparison pattern, adding in 更 (gèng) before the adjective. 更 (gèng) means "even more," so the idea is that while one thing is already quite [adjective], this other thing is even more [adjective]. Pretty simple!
Structure
Noun 1 + 比 + Noun 2 + 更 + Adj.
The only new thing here is the addition of 更 (gèng) before the adjective.
- 小李 比 小张 更 高 。Xiao Li is even taller than Xiao Zhang.
The implication is that while Xiao Zhang is tall, 小李 (Xiǎo lǐ) is even taller.
Examples
- 我 哥哥 比 我 更 高 。My big brother is even taller than me.
- 你 男朋友 比 我男朋友 更 帅 。Your boyfriend is even more handsome than mine.
- 这里 的 冬天 比 纽约 的 冬天 更 冷 。The winter here is even colder than it is in New York.
- 中文 语法 比 汉字 更 难 。Chinese grammar is even more difficult than Chinese characters.
- 你的 问题 比 我的 问题 更 麻烦。Your problem is even more troublesome than mine.
See Also
Finally, to express "not as... as," use 没有, and to express "not more... than" use 不比 (the negative cousin of 比).
Check these elementary comparison patterns out as well:
When you're ready for more, we also have a good overview of comparisons in Mandarin Chinese which spans all levels.
Sources and further reading
Books
- Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar (pp. 61-3) →buy
- Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (p. 53) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2) (pp. 65-6) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed) (pp. 6-8) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3) (pp. 184-5) →buy
Websites
- Yale Chinese Usage Dictionary: Usage of 跟 and 比