比 (bǐ) - Comparative

Think of the 比 structure as a physical balance scale. On one side, you have Item A. On the other side, you have Item B. The word 比 sits right in the middle, acting as the pivot point. The adjective at the end tells us what quality we are measuring. In English, we often change the adjective itself, like turning "big" into "bigger." In Chinese, we do not do that. The adjective stays exactly the same. You do not add any endings to it. Instead, the word 比 does all the heavy lifting of indicating the comparison. It tells the listener, "Hey, I am comparing these two things right now." If you say 我比你高 (Wǒ bǐ nǐ gāo), you are literally saying "I compared to you am tall." It sounds a bit like Yoda, but it is perfectly natural in Chinese. The most important thing to remember is the sequence. It is always: Subject A + 比 + Subject B + Adjective. If you keep this sequence in mind, you are already halfway there. It is a very logical and mathematical way of speaking. There are no hidden surprises or irregular forms to memorize like in English.

1. 1Building a comparison is like following a simple recipe. You only need four main ingredients. Follow these steps to create a perfect sentence every time:
2. 2Start with the thing you want to highlight (Subject A). This is the "winner" of the comparison.
3. 3Add the magic word 比 (bǐ).
4. 4Add the thing you are comparing it to (Subject B).
5. 5Finish with the quality or adjective you are talking about.
6. 6Structure: [A] + 比 + [B] + [Adjective]
7. 7Example: 咖啡 (Coffee) + 比 (than) + 茶 (tea) + 贵 (expensive).
8. 8Result: 咖啡比茶贵 (Kāfēi bǐ chá guì) — Coffee is more expensive than tea.
9. 9If you want to be more specific about the difference, you can add a "degree" at the very end.
10. 10To say "a little bit," add 一点儿 (yìdiǎnr) after the adjective.
11. 11To say "much more," add 得多 (de duō) or 多了 (duō le) after the adjective.
12. 12Example: 今天比昨天热一点儿 (Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān rè yìdiǎnr) — Today is a little hotter than yesterday.

You will use 比 in almost every daily scenario. Imagine you are at a clothing store. You find two shirts. You can say 这件比那件漂亮 (Zhè jiàn bǐ nà jiàn piàoliang) — This one is prettier than that one. It is perfect for making decisions. Use it when ordering food if you want something spicier: 这个菜比那个菜辣吗？ (Zhè ge cài bǐ nà ge cài là ma?) — Is this dish spicier than that one?

It is also essential for talking about people and relationships. You might compare heights with your friends or ages with your siblings. In a job interview, you might even use it to explain why your skills are better suited for the role than other candidates. It is great for discussing the weather, prices, travel times, and even abstract concepts like feelings. "I am happier today than I was yesterday" becomes a simple 比 sentence. It is the go-to tool for any situation where you need to rank things or show a preference. Think of it as your "comparison compass" that helps you navigate choices.

There are a few times when 比 should stay in your pocket. First, do not use it when things are equal. If two things are the same, you use 一样 (yíyàng) instead. Second, avoid using 比 for negative comparisons where you want to say "not as... as." While you can technically negate a 比 sentence with 不, it often sounds clunky or overly aggressive. Instead, native speakers prefer using 没有 (méiyǒu). For example, instead of saying "I am not taller than him," you should say "I am not as tall as him" using 我没有他高 (Wǒ méiyǒu tā gāo).

Also, do not use 比 when you are just listing qualities without a second object. If you just want to say "This is bigger," and everyone knows what you are comparing it to, you might use 比较 (bǐjiào) which means "relatively" or "quite." 比 always needs a partner (Subject B) to work correctly. It is a social grammar point; it hates being alone! Finally, do not use it with specific measurements directly before the adjective. You cannot say "I than him 5cm tall." The measurement always goes at the very end of the sentence.

The biggest mistake learners make is adding 很 (hěn) or 非常 (fēicháng) before the adjective. In a normal sentence like 他很高 (He is very tall), 很 is fine. But in a 比 sentence, the word 比 already carries the meaning of "more." Adding 很 is like saying "He is more very tall than me." It sounds redundant and wrong to a native ear. Just leave the adjective alone!

Another common trip-up is word order with time or quantity. Remember: the difference always goes at the end. Do not say 我比他五岁大. Instead, say 我比他大五岁 (I am five years older than him). It feels backwards if you think in English, but in Chinese, the "result" of the comparison is the final word.

Lastly, don't forget Subject B. Sometimes learners get lazy and say 这件比贵. You must include the other item, even if it is just a pronoun like 那个 (that one). It is like trying to have a boxing match with only one fighter—it just doesn't work! Even native speakers mess this up when they are rushing, but try to keep your "Subject B" in sight to stay clear.

It is helpful to see 比 alongside its cousins.

1. 1比 (bǐ): A > B. Use this for "more than."
2. 2没有 (méiyǒu): A < B. Use this for "not as... as."
3. 3一样 (yíyàng): A = B. Use this for "the same as."

If you say 我比他高, you are the tall one. If you say 我没有他高, he is the tall one. If you say 我和他一样高, you are both the same height.

There is also 比较 (bǐjiào). People often confuse this with 比. 比较 is an adverb meaning "relatively." You use it when there is no explicit Subject B. For example, 这件衣服比较贵 (This clothing is relatively expensive). You aren't comparing it to a specific other shirt in the sentence, just to the general idea of price. Think of 比 as a specific duel between two items, while 比较 is more of a general observation. Using the right one makes you sound much more precise.