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

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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
{{Grammar Box}}  
  
One of the most common words when [[comparing]] things in Chinese is to use [[比|比 (bǐ)]]. 比 (bǐ) draws similarities to the English word "than" when making comparisons between things.
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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 ==
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== 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>
 
</div>
  
小李 (Xiǎo ) is taller. The same situation could be described as
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小李 (Xiǎo ) is taller. The same situation could be described as
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 他 <em>比</em> 老师 <strong></strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>bǐ</em> lǎoshī <strong></strong>. </span><span class="trans">He is older than the teacher. </span>
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*他 <em>比</em> 老师 <strong>聪明</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>bǐ</em> lǎoshī <strong>cōngming</strong>.</span><span class="trans">He is smarter than the teacher.</span>
* 美国 <em>比</em> 中国 <strong>有钱</strong> <span class="pinyin">Měiguó <em>bǐ</em> Zhōngguó <strong>yǒuqián</strong>. </span><span class="trans">America is richer than China. </span>
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*上海 <em>比</em> 纽约 <strong></strong> 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Shànghǎi <em>bǐ</em> Niǔyuē <strong></strong> ma? </span><span class="trans">Is Shanghai bigger than New York?</span>
* 她 <em>比</em> 她妈妈 <strong>漂亮</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>bǐ</em> tāmāma <strong> piàoliang </strong>. </span><span class="trans">She is more beautiful than her mother. </span>
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*她 <em>比</em> 她 妈妈 <strong>漂亮</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>bǐ</em> tā māma <strong> piàoliang </strong>.</span><span class="trans">She is prettier than her mother.</span>
* 星巴克 的 咖啡 <em>比</em> 这里 的 咖啡 <strong>贵</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Xīngbākè de kāfēi <em>bǐ</em> zhèlǐ de kāfēi <strong>guì</strong>. </span><span class="trans">The coffee in Starbucks is more expensive than the coffee here. </span>
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*星巴克 的 咖啡 <em>比</em> 这里 的 咖啡 <strong>贵</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Xīngbākè de kāfēi <em>bǐ</em> zhèlǐ de kāfēi <strong>guì</strong>.</span><span class="trans">The coffee at Starbucks is more expensive than the coffee here.</span>
* 地铁 <em>比</em> 公交车 <strong>方便</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Dìtiě <em>bǐ</em>  gōngjiāochē <strong>fāngbiàn</strong>. </span><span class="trans">Metro is more convenient than bus. </span>
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*地铁 <em>比</em> 公交车 <strong>方便</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Dìtiě <em>bǐ</em>  gōngjiāochē <strong>fāngbiàn</strong>.</span><span class="trans">The subway is more convenient than the bus. </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>
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<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>
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<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>
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</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="pinyin">Wǒ <em>bǐ</em> <strong>bù cōngming </strong>.</span><span class="trans">I am not smarter than you. (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="pinyin"><em>bǐ</em> wǒ <strong>cōngming </strong>.</span><span class="trans">You are smarter than me. (correct)</span></li>
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<li class="o"><em>比</em> 我 <strong></strong> 。<span class="pinyin"><em>bǐ</em> wǒ <strong>gāo</strong>.</span><span class="trans">He's taller than me.</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
  
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<ul>
 
<ul>
<li class="x">我 <strong>比</strong> <strong>一样</strong> 聪明 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <strong>bǐ</strong> <strong>yīyàng</strong> cōngming.</span><span class="trans">I am as smart as you. (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 <strong>跟</strong> <strong>一样</strong> 聪明 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <strong>gēn</strong> <strong>yīyàng</strong> cōngming.</span><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> <strong>yīyàng</strong> gāo.</span><span class="trans">I'm as tall as him.</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Pattern Using 比 and 更 ==
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== Pattern Using 比 (bǐ) and 更 (gèng) ==
  
This is a slight upgrade of the basic 比 (bǐ) comparison pattern, adding in [["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!
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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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</div>
 
</div>
  
The implication is that while Xiao Zhang is ''tall'', 小李 (Xiǎo ) is ''even taller''.
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The implication is that while Xiao Zhang is ''tall'', 小李 (Xiǎo ) is ''even taller''.
  
 
=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 他家 <em>比</em> 你家 <strong>更 </strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Tājiā <em>bǐ</em> nǐjiā <strong>gèng yuǎn</strong>. </span><span class="trans">His house is further away than yours. </span>
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*我 哥哥 <em>比</em> <strong>更 </strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ gēge <em>bǐ</em> <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 <em>bǐ</em> nǐ māmā <strong>gèng piàoliang </strong>. </span><span class="trans">You are prettier than your mom. </span>
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*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">Zhè lǐ de dōngtiān  <em>bǐ</em> Niǔyuē de dōngtiān <strong>gèng </strong> lěng. </span><span class="trans">The winter here is colder than it is in New York. </span>
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*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 </strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Zhōngwényǔfǎ <em>bǐ</em> hànzì <strong> gèng nán </strong>. </span><span class="trans">Chinese grammar is more difficult than Chinese characters. </span>
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*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 more troublesome than mine. </span>
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*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>
 
</div>
  
== See also ==
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== 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).
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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)
 
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* [[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]
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{{Source|HSK Standard Course 2|84}}
* [[Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition]] (p. 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]
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{{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]
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{{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]
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{{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]
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{{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]]
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{{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}}
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{{Basic Grammar|比|A2|Noun 1 + 比 + Noun 2 + Adj.|你 <em>比</em> 我 胖 。|grammar point|ASG8SI2K}}
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{{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"}}
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{{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