Basic comparisons with "bi"

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Basic patterns

Also known as: 比字句 (bǐzì jù).

To say that one thing is more adjective than another, the structure is:

Noun 1 + 比 + Noun 2 + Adjective

This 比 (bǐ) sits between the two things being compared. 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 高。

小李 is taller. The same situation could be described as

  • 小张 小李 矮。

Examples

  • 大。
  • 胖。
  • 美国 英国 大。
  • 这 条 路 那 条 长。

Common Errors

Try not to make these mistakes:

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

  • 不 聪明
  • 我 聪明
  • 你 笨

比 is not used with 一样. 比 is used when two things are not the same.

  • 一样 聪明
  • 一样 聪明

Finally, to express "not as... as," use 没有, and to express "not more... than" use 不比 (the negative cousin of 比).

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

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