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比: 'A is more X than B'

比字句

Level 2 · Comparisons · 比较

比 goes before the thing you compare against

The pattern

A + 比 + B + Adj (+ degree)
  • Formula: A + 比 + B + adjective: 今天比昨天冷 'today is colder than yesterday'. No '-er' needed; the adjective stays bare.
  • To say by how much, add it after: 大三岁 'older by three years', 贵一点儿 'a bit more expensive'.

Examples

我妹妹比我小三岁。 我妹妹比我小三歲
wǒ mèi mèi bǐ wǒ xiǎo sān suì
My sister is three years younger than me.
坐火车比坐飞机便宜。 坐火車比坐飛機便宜
zuò huǒ chē bǐ zuò fēi jī pián yi
The train is cheaper than flying.
今天比昨天冷多了。 今天比昨天冷多了
jīn tiān bǐ zuó tiān lěng duō liǎo
Today is much colder than yesterday.

Quick check

1. 'He is taller than me.'
  1. 他比我高。
  2. 我比他高。
  3. 他高比我。
Show answer 他比我高。 — A + 比 + B + Adj.
2. 'This one is a bit more expensive.'
  1. 这个比贵一点儿。
  2. 这个贵比一点儿。
  3. 这个比那个贵一点儿。
Show answer 这个比那个贵一点儿。 — 比 + reference + adj + degree.
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