比 bǐ — than, compared with (A 比 B + adjective)

Meanings

1. 1

   than, compared with (A 比 B + adjective)

   The comparison marker. The pattern is A 比 B + adjective and the adjective stays bare — no 很, no 太: 今天比昨天冷.

   preposition
2. 2

   to compare

   verb

Example sentences

• 今天比昨天冷。Jīntiān (first tone, high and level) bǐ (third tone, dipping) zuótiān (second tone, rising) lěng. (third tone, dipping)···

  It’s colder today than yesterday.

• 我哥哥比我高。Wǒ (third tone, dipping) gēge (first tone, high and level) bǐ (third tone, dipping) wǒ (third tone, dipping) gāo. (first tone, high and level)···

  My older brother is taller than me.

Common mistakes

• Not quite今天比昨天很冷。

  Correct今天比昨天冷。

  很 cannot appear in a 比 sentence: the comparison itself supplies the degree. For "much colder", put 多了 or 一点儿 after the adjective — 冷多了, 冷一点儿.

• Not quite我比他不高。

  Correct我没有他高。

  A 比 comparison is not negated with 不. The negative comparison has its own pattern: A 没有 B + adjective, "A is not as … as B".

Similar words