Difference between revisions of "Basic comparisons with "bi""

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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
{{Grammar Box}}  
  
One of the most common ways of [[comparing]] things in Chinese is to use [[比]] (bǐ).
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One of the most common words when [[comparing]] things in Chinese is to use [[比|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.
  
== Basic Pattern Using 比 ==
+
== Basic Usage ==
  
 
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.
 
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.
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<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
Noun 1 + 比 + Noun 2 + Adjective
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Noun 1 + 比 + Noun 2 + Adj.
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 小李 <em>比</em> 小张 <strong>高</strong> 。<span class="trans">Xiao Li is taller than Xiao Zhang.</span>
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* 小李 <em>比</em> 小张 <strong>高</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Xiǎo Lǐ <em>bǐ</em> Xiǎo Zhāng <strong>gāo </strong>.</span><span class="trans">Xiao Li is taller than Xiao Zhang.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
小李 is taller. The same situation could be described as
+
小李 (Xiǎo Lǐ) is taller. The same situation could be described as
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 小张 <em>比</em> 小李 <strong>矮</strong> 。<span class="trans">Xiao Zhang is smaller than Xiao Li.</span>
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* 小张 <em>比</em> 小李 <strong>矮</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Xiǎo Zhāng <em>bǐ</em> Xiǎo Lǐ <strong>ǎi </strong>.</span><span class="trans">Xiao Zhang is shorter than Xiao Li.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* <em>比</em> <strong></strong> 。<span class="trans">She is older than me.</span>
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*<em>比</em> 老师 <strong>聪明</strong> 。<span class="pinyin"><em></em> lǎoshī <strong>cōngming</strong>.</span><span class="trans">He is smarter than the teacher.</span>
* 我 <em></em> <strong></strong> <span class="trans">I'm fatter than you.</span>
+
*上海 <em>比</em> 纽约 <strong>大</strong> 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Shànghǎi <em></em> Niǔyuē <strong></strong> ma? </span><span class="trans">Is Shanghai bigger than New York?</span>
* 美国 <em>比</em> 英国 <strong>大</strong> <span class="trans">The U.S. is bigger than the U.K.</span>
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*<em>比</em> 她 妈妈 <strong>漂亮</strong> 。<span class="pinyin"><em></em> tā māma <strong> piàoliang </strong>.</span><span class="trans">She is prettier than her mother.</span>
* 这 条 路 <em></em> 那 条 <strong></strong> <span class="trans">This road is longer than that road.</span>
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*星巴克 的 咖啡 <em>比</em> 这里 的 咖啡 <strong></strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Xīngbākè de kāfēi <em></em> zhèlǐ de kāfēi <strong>guì</strong>.</span><span class="trans">The coffee at Starbucks is more expensive than the coffee here.</span>
*纽约 <em>比</em> 上海 <strong></strong> 。<span class="trans">New York is colder than Shanghai.</span>
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*地铁 <em>比</em> 公交车 <strong>方便</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Dìtiě <em></em> gōngjiāochē <strong>fāngbiàn</strong>.</span><span class="trans">The subway is more convenient than the bus. </span>
*咖啡 <em></em> <strong></strong> <span class="trans">Coffee is more bitter than tea.</span>
 
*<em>比</em> 猪肉 <strong>好吃</strong> 。<span class="trans">Fish tastes better than pork.</span>
 
*伦敦 的 房子 <em></em> 上海 的 <strong></strong> <span class="trans">The apartments in London are more expensive than in Shanghai.</span>
 
*上海 <em>比</em> 别的 城市 <strong>方便</strong> 。<span class="trans">Shanghai is more convenient than other cities.</span>
 
*中文 <em></em> 英语 <strong>有意思</strong> <span class="trans">Chinese is more interesting than English.</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Common Errors ==
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== Common Mistakes ==
  
 
Try not to make these mistakes:
 
Try not to make these mistakes:
 +
 +
很 (hěn) can't used in the comparison.
 +
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
 +
<ul>
 +
<li class="x">他 <em>比</em> 我 <strong>很 高</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>bǐ</em> wǒ <strong>hěn gāo</strong>.</span></li>
 +
<li class="o">他 <em>比</em> 我 <strong>高</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>bǐ</em> wǒ <strong>gāo</strong>.</span><span class="trans">He's taller than me.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
 +
</div>
  
 
The adjective used in the comparison should be positive, not negative.
 
The adjective used in the comparison should be positive, not negative.
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<ul>
 
<ul>
<li class="x">我 <em>比</em> <strong>不 聪明</strong> 。<span class="trans">I than you not smarter. (incorrect)</span></li>
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<li class="x">我 <em>比</em> <strong>不 </strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>bǐ</em> tā  <strong>bù gāo</strong>.</span></li>
<li class="o"><em>比</em> 我 <strong>聪明</strong> 。<span class="trans">You are smarter than me. (correct)</span></li>
+
<li class="o"><em>比</em> 我 <strong></strong> 。<span class="pinyin"><em></em> <strong>gāo</strong>.</span><span class="trans">He's taller than me.</span></li>
<li class="o">我 <em>比</em> 你 <strong></strong> <span class="trans">I am dumber than you. (correct)</span></li>
 
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
比 is not used with 一样.  比 is used when two things are ''not'' the same.
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(bǐ) is not used with 一样 (yīyàng).  比 (bǐ) is used when two things are ''not'' the same.
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
 
<ul>
 
<ul>
<li class="x">我 <em>比</em> <strong>一样 聪明</strong> 。<span class="trans">I than you the same smart. (incorrect)</span></li>
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<li class="x">我 <em>比</em> <strong>一样</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>bǐ</em> tā  <strong>yīyàng</strong> gāo.</span></li>
<li class="o">我 <em>跟</em> <strong>一样 聪明</strong> 。<span class="trans">I am as smart as you. (correct)</span></li>
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<li class="o">我 <strong>跟</strong> <strong>一样</strong> <span class="pinyin">Wǒ <strong>gēn</strong> tā <strong>yīyàng</strong> gāo.</span><span class="trans">I'm as tall as him.</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 +
== Pattern Using 比 (bǐ) and 更 (gèng) ==
 +
 +
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 ===
 +
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
 +
Noun 1 + 比 + Noun 2 + 更 + Adj.
 +
 +
</div>
 +
 +
The only new thing here is the addition of 更 (gèng) before the adjective.
 +
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
 +
* 小李 <em>比</em> 小张 <strong>更 高</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Xiǎo Lǐ <em>bǐ</em> Xiǎo Zhāng <strong>gèng gāo </strong>.</span><span class="trans">Xiao Li is even taller than Xiao Zhang.</span>
 +
 +
</div>
 +
 +
The implication is that while Xiao Zhang is ''tall'', 小李 (Xiǎo Lǐ) is ''even taller''.
 +
 +
=== Examples ===
 +
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
 +
*我 哥哥 <em>比</em> 我 <strong>更 高</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ gēge <em>bǐ</em> wǒ <strong>gèng gāo</strong>.</span><span class="trans">My big brother is even taller than me.</span>
 +
*你 男朋友 <em>比</em> 我男朋友 <strong> 更 帅 </strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ nánpéngyou <em>bǐ</em> wǒ nánpéngyou <strong>gèng shuài</strong>.</span><span class="trans">Your boyfriend is even more handsome than mine.</span>
 +
*这里 的 冬天 <em>比</em> 纽约 的 冬天 <strong>更 冷</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Zhèlǐ de dōngtiān  <em>bǐ</em> Niǔyuē de dōngtiān <strong>gèng lěng</strong>.</span><span class="trans">The winter here is even colder than it is in New York.</span>
 +
*中文 语法 <em>比</em> 汉字 <strong>更 好玩</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Zhōngwén yǔfǎ  <em>bǐ</em> Hànzì <strong>gèng hǎowán</strong>.</span><span class="trans">Chinese grammar is even more fun than Chinese characters.</span>
 +
*你的 问题 <em>比</em> 我的 问题 <strong>更 麻烦</strong>。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ de wèntí <em>bǐ</em> wǒ de wèntí <strong>gèng máfan</strong>.</span><span class="trans">Your problem is even more troublesome than mine.</span>
 +
 +
</div>
  
 
== See Also ==
 
== See Also ==
  
Finally, to express [[Basic comparisons with "meiyou"|"not as... as," use 没有]], and to express [[Basic comparisons with "bu bi"|"not more... than" use 不比]] (the negative cousin of 比).
+
Check these other comparison patterns out as well:
 
 
Check these elementary comparison patterns out as well:
 
  
 +
* [[Basic comparisons with "meiyou"]]
 
* [[Basic comparisons with "bu bi"]]
 
* [[Basic comparisons with "bu bi"]]
* [[Basic comparisons with "meiyou"]]
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* [[Comparing]] (patterns across all levels)
 
+
* [[Expressing "even more" with "geng" or "hai"]]
When you're read for more, we also have a good overview of [[comparing|comparisons in Mandarin Chinese]] which spans all levels.
 
  
 
== Sources and further reading ==
 
== Sources and further reading ==
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=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
* [[Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar]] (pp. 61-3) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933330899/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=1933330899 →buy]
+
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 2|84}}
* [[Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition]] (pp. 53) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415372615/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0415372615 →buy]
+
{{Source|Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar|61-3}}
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2)]] (pp. 65-6) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561911297/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561911297 →buy]
+
{{Source|Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition|53}}
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)]] (pp. 6- 8) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276709/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276709 →buy]
+
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2)|65-6}}
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3)]] (pp. 184-5) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/756191251X/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=756191251X →buy]
+
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)|6-8}}
 +
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3)|184-5}}
  
 
=== Websites ===
 
=== Websites ===
  
* East Asia Student: [http://eastasiastudent.net/348/china/mandarin/cmn-grammar/simple-comparisons/ Simple comparisons in Mandarin Chinese]
 
 
* Yale Chinese Usage Dictionary: [http://comet.cls.yale.edu/chineseusagedictionary/0220.html Usage of 跟 and 比]
 
* Yale Chinese Usage Dictionary: [http://comet.cls.yale.edu/chineseusagedictionary/0220.html Usage of 跟 and 比]
  
 
[[Category:A2 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:A2 grammar points]]
 +
{{HSK|HSK2}}{{2021-HSK|HSK2}}
 
[[Category:Comparison]]
 
[[Category:Comparison]]
{{Basic Grammar|比|A2|N1 + 比 + N2 + Adj|你 <em>比</em> 我 胖。|grammar point|ASG8SI2K}}
+
{{Basic Grammar|比|A2|Noun 1 + 比 + Noun 2 + Adj.|你 <em>比</em> 我 胖 。|grammar point|ASG8SI2K}}
 +
{{Similar|Expressing comparable degree with "you"}}   
 
{{Similar|Expressing "much more" in comparisons}}     
 
{{Similar|Expressing "much more" in comparisons}}     
{{Similar|Basic comparisons with "bu bi"}}   
 
 
{{Similar|Basic comparisons with "meiyou"}}
 
{{Similar|Basic comparisons with "meiyou"}}
 +
{{Similar|Expressing "even more" with "geng"}}
 +
{{Similar|Basic comparisons with "bu bi"}}
 
{{Used for|Comparing}}
 
{{Used for|Comparing}}
 
{{POS|Prepositions}}
 
{{POS|Prepositions}}

Latest revision as of 08:57, 21 April 2021

Also known as: 比字句 (bǐ zì jù).

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.

Basic Usage

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 小张 Xiǎo Lǐ Xiǎo Zhāng gāo .Xiao Li is taller than Xiao Zhang.

小李 (Xiǎo Lǐ) is taller. The same situation could be described as

  • 小张 小李 Xiǎo Zhāng Xiǎo Lǐ ǎi .Xiao Zhang is shorter than Xiao Li.

Examples

  • 老师 聪明 lǎoshī cōngming.He is smarter than the teacher.
  • 上海 纽约 吗 ?Shànghǎi Niǔyuē ma? Is Shanghai bigger than New York?
  • 她 妈妈 漂亮 tā māma piàoliang .She is prettier than her mother.
  • 星巴克 的 咖啡 这里 的 咖啡 Xīngbākè de kāfēi zhèlǐ de kāfēi guì.The coffee at Starbucks is more expensive than the coffee here.
  • 地铁 公交车 方便Dìtiě gōngjiāochē fāngbiàn.The subway is more convenient than the bus.

Common Mistakes

Try not to make these mistakes:

很 (hěn) can't used in the comparison.

  • 很 高hěn gāo.
  • gāo.He's taller than me.

The adjective used in the comparison should be positive, not negative.

  • 不 高bù gāo.
  • gāo.He's taller than me.

比 (bǐ) is not used with 一样 (yīyàng). 比 (bǐ) is used when two things are not the same.

  • 一样 高 。yīyàng gāo.
  • 一样 高 。gēnyīyàng gāo.I'm as tall as him.

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 小张 更 高Xiǎo Lǐ Xiǎo Zhāng gèng gāo .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 更 高Wǒ gēge gèng gāo.My big brother is even taller than me.
  • 你 男朋友 我男朋友 更 帅 Nǐ nánpéngyou wǒ nánpéngyou gèng shuài.Your boyfriend is even more handsome than mine.
  • 这里 的 冬天 纽约 的 冬天 更 冷Zhèlǐ de dōngtiān Niǔyuē de dōngtiān gèng lěng.The winter here is even colder than it is in New York.
  • 中文 语法 汉字 更 好玩Zhōngwén yǔfǎ Hànzì gèng hǎowán.Chinese grammar is even more fun than Chinese characters.
  • 你的 问题 我的 问题 更 麻烦Nǐ de wèntí wǒ de wèntí gèng máfan.Your problem is even more troublesome than mine.

See Also

Check these other comparison patterns out as well:

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites