比较

Place 比较 directly before an adjective or a verb that expresses a feeling. For example, 比较好 means 'relatively good.' You do not need the word 'is' (是) before it most of the time. Just say 'Subject + 比较 + Adjective.' It is that simple! It works for feelings too, like 比较喜欢 (prefer/like more).

Use it when you want to be accurate but polite. If a friend asks how the food is, and it is okay but not life-changing, say it is 比较好吃. It is perfect for reviews, weather talk, or choosing between two shirts at a mall. It shows you have nuanced taste. Use it in texts to sound more natural and less like a textbook.

Do not use it when things are extreme. If you just won the lottery, do not say you are 比较开心. That is way too understated! Also, avoid using it with adjectives that are already absolute. You cannot be 'relatively unique' or 'relatively dead.' If you want to say 'A is more than B,' use the 比 structure instead of just 比较.

Chinese culture often values modesty and the 'Middle Way.' Being too direct can sometimes feel aggressive. By using 比较, you soften the blow of a negative opinion or humble a positive one. It is a linguistic safety net. It allows you to express a preference without hurting anyone's feelings or sounding too arrogant.

In casual speech, people sometimes shorten it or pair it with 的. You might hear 比较好一些 to mean 'a bit better.' In very formal writing, you might see 较 used alone to save space. But for your daily life, the standard 比较 is the king of versatility. It is the 'khaki pants' of Chinese vocabulary—it goes with everything.