Expressing "rather" with "bijiao"

The word 比较 (bǐjiào) can be a verb which means "to compare." But it can also be an adverb meaning "comparatively" or "rather."

Used with Adjectives

The adverb 比较 can be used to express "quite," "rather," or "relatively."

Subj. + 比较 + Adj.

这个问题比较简单。Zhège wèntí bǐjiào jiǎndān.This question is quite easy.
我觉得这个价格比较贵。Wǒ juéde zhège jiàgé bǐjiào guì.I think this price is rather expensive.
我家离市中心比较近。Wǒ jiā lí shìzhōngxīn bǐjiào jìn.My place is relatively close to downtown.
大城市的工作压力比较大。Dà chéngshì de gōngzuò yālì bǐjiào dà.Jobs in big cities have quite a lot of pressure.
你上班坐地铁比较方便吧？Nǐ shàngbān zuò dìtiě bǐjiào fāngbiàn ba?To get to work, it's quite convenient for you to take the subway, right?

比较 can also be used with psychological verbs.

Subj. + 比较 + [Verb Phrase]

我比较讨厌男人说脏话。Wǒ bǐjiào tǎoyàn nánrén shuō zānghuà.I quite hate it when men use foul language.
你比较喜欢用 Gmail 还是 Hotmail ？Note that for this phrase, the translation is a totally different verb.Nǐ bǐjiào xǐhuan yòng Gmail háishì Hotmail?Do you prefer to use Gmail or Hotmail?
我父母比较反对我找外国男朋友。Wǒ fùmǔ bǐjiào fǎnduì wǒ zhǎo wàiguó nánpéngyou.My parents rather object to me seeking a foreign boyfriend.
民众比较支持新的就业政策。Mínzhòng bǐjiào zhīchí xīn de jiùyè zhèngcè.The public rather supports the new employment policy.
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 pays more attention to results and not process.