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 家 离 市中心 比较 近 。Wǒ jiā lí shìzhōngxīn bǐjiào jìn.My place is rather close to downtown.
• 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.
• 你 上班 坐 地铁 比较 方便 还是 骑车 比较 方便 ？Nǐ shàngbān zuò dìtiě bǐjiào fāngbiàn háishì qíchē bǐjiào fāngbiàn?Is is rather convenient for you to take the metro to work or ride a bike?

Used with Verbs

Structure

Subj. + 比较 + Verb

Examples

• 我 比较 讨厌 男人 说 脏话 。Wǒ bǐjiào tǎoyàn nánrén shuō zānghuà.I hate it when men say dirty words.
• 民众 比较 支持 新 政府 。Mínzhòng bǐjiào zhīchí xīn zhèngfǔ.The public comparatively support the new government.
• 我 父母 比较 反对 我 找 外国 男朋友 。Wǒ fùmǔ bǐjiào fǎnduì wǒ zhǎo wàiguó nánpéngyou.My parents quite object to the fact that I'm with a foreign boyfriend.
• 老板 通常 比较 关注 结果 ，不是 过程 。Lǎobǎn tōngcháng bǐjiào guānzhù jiéguǒ, bù shì guòchéng.The boss usually pay more attention on the results in stead of the process.
• 你 比较 喜欢 用 gmail 还是 hotmail ？Nǐ bǐjiào xǐhuan yòng gmail háishì hotmail?Do you prefer to use Gmail or hotmail?

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