比: bigger, smaller, the same
他比我高, 我没有他那么高, 我跟他一样高, 他最高: comparing in Chinese.
Part of the free A2 Chinese course (about HSK 3). Examples are in Simplified characters with pinyin; press the speaker to hear one with your device's Chinese voice.
A 比 B + adjective
English adds -er or more: taller, more expensive. Chinese adjectives never change. Instead, put 比 (bǐ, "compared with") between the two things:
| A | 比 | B | Adjective | English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 他 (tā) | 比 (bǐ) | 我 (wǒ) | 高 (gāo) | He's taller than me. |
| 茶 (chá) | 比 (bǐ) | 咖啡 (kāfēi) | 便宜 (piányi) | Tea is cheaper than coffee. |
- 他比我高。(Tā bǐ wǒ gāo.)He's taller than me.
No 很 or 非常 before the adjective in a 比 sentence. 比 already does the comparing.
How much more: after the adjective
The amount goes after the adjective:
- a little: 一点儿 (yìdiǎnr)
- much: 得多 (de duō) or 多了 (duō le)
- an exact amount: 大三岁 (three years older), 贵十块 (ten yuan more expensive)
- 今天比昨天冷一点儿。(Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān lěng yìdiǎnr.)Today is a bit colder than yesterday.
- 北京比上海大得多。(Běijīng bǐ Shànghǎi dà de duō.)Beijing is much bigger than Shanghai.
- 我哥哥比我大三岁。(Wǒ gēge bǐ wǒ dà sān suì.)My brother is three years older than me.
Even more: 更
更 (gèng, even more) can go before the adjective: 坐地铁比打车更快 = the subway is even faster than a taxi (a taxi is already fast).
- 坐地铁比打车更快。(Zuò dìtiě bǐ dǎchē gèng kuài.)Taking the subway is even quicker than a taxi.
Not as … as: 没有…(那么)
For "A is not as … as B", use 没有, often with 那么 (nàme, so):
- 我的中文没有你的那么好。(Wǒ de Zhōngwén méiyǒu nǐ de nàme hǎo.)My Chinese isn't as good as yours.
不比 also exists, but it means something different: 我不比他高 = I'm not taller than him (we're about the same). It usually answers someone who said you were taller.
The same: 跟…一样
- 她跟她妈妈一样漂亮。(Tā gēn tā māma yíyàng piàoliang.)She's as beautiful as her mother.
Not the same: 跟…不一样 (bù yíyàng).
The most: 最
最 (zuì) goes before the adjective: 最好 (the best), 最贵 (the most expensive).
- 这家店的东西最便宜。(Zhè jiā diàn de dōngxi zuì piányi.)This shop has the cheapest things.
Common mistakes
他比我很高。→ 他比我高。No 很 in a 比 sentence. (For "much taller": 他比我高得多.)他比我两岁大。→ 他比我大两岁。The amount comes after the adjective.我比他不高。→ 我没有他高。"Not as tall as" is 没有, before the second person.他比我一点儿高。→ 他比我高一点儿。一点儿 goes after the adjective. (有点儿 + adjective is different: "a bit too", with no comparison.)我一样跟他高。→ 我跟他一样高。The order is A 跟 B 一样 + adjective.
Practice
- 我比我弟弟_____。(Wǒ bǐ wǒ dìdi ___.)Options: 高 (gāo) · 很高 (hěn gāo) · 非常高 (fēicháng gāo)
Show the answer
高 (gāo) — No 很 or 非常 in a 比 sentence.
- 这件衣服_____那件贵。(Zhè jiàn yīfu ___ nà jiàn guì.)
Show the answer
比 — A 比 B + adjective.
- Which sentence means 'Tea is much cheaper than coffee'?Options: 茶比咖啡便宜得多。(Chá bǐ kāfēi piányi de duō.) · 茶比咖啡很便宜。(Chá bǐ kāfēi hěn piányi.) · 茶比咖啡得多便宜。(Chá bǐ kāfēi de duō piányi.)
Show the answer
茶比咖啡便宜得多。(Chá bǐ kāfēi piányi de duō.) — 'Much' (得多) goes after the adjective; no 很.
- 我的房间没有你的_____大。(Wǒ de fángjiān méiyǒu nǐ de ___ dà.)
Show the answer
那么 — 没有…那么 + adjective. (这么 also works if you're standing in your friend's room.)