A + 比 (bǐ) + B + Adjective
Reach for 比 whenever you want to say A scores higher than B on some trait — taller, faster, cheaper, more expensive. The two things sit on either side of 比, with the adjective at the end. Optionally tack on a degree at the very end (一点儿, 多了, 得多, a number) to quantify how much more. This is the central comparison structure in Chinese — most expressed comparisons use it.
Structure
[A] 比 [B] [ADJECTIVE] ([DEGREE])
[A] bǐ [B] [ADJECTIVE]...
How to Think About It
The degree goes AFTER the adjective, never before. English drops 'much' or 'a lot' in front: 'much taller.' Chinese puts the amount at the tail: 高得多, 高一点儿, 高十厘米. Stuffing 很/非常 between 比 and the adjective is the single most common error and instantly marks a beginner.
Examples
今天比昨天热。
Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān rè.
Today is hotter than yesterday.
这件衣服比那件贵一点儿。
Zhè jiàn yīfu bǐ nà jiàn guì yīdiǎnr.
This piece of clothing is a little more expensive than that one.
坐高铁比坐飞机方便多了。
Zuò gāotiě bǐ zuò fēijī fāngbiàn duō le.
Taking the high-speed train is much more convenient than flying.
Common Mistake
Learners insert 很/非常 before the adjective, copying English word order. Inside a 比 sentence, those modifiers are illegal — use 多了, 得多, or a measurement after the adjective instead.
这个比那个很好。
这个比那个好多了。
Don't Confuse With
A 没有 B [ADJ]
The negative ('A is not as ADJ as B'). Use 没有, not 不比 — 不比 means 'not necessarily more,' a softer hedge.
A 跟 B 一样 [ADJ]
Use 一样 for equality. 比 always asserts a difference.
比...更...
Adding 更 emphasizes that B is already ADJ and A goes further still. Without 更, the comparison is plain.
Practice
今天____昨天热。
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比
这件衣服比那件贵一____。
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点儿
Arrange: 多了 / 坐飞机 / 比 / 方便 / 坐高铁
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坐高铁比坐飞机方便多了。
Eating at home is much cheaper than eating at a restaurant.
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在家吃饭比在饭馆吃饭便宜多了。
Write a sentence using A 比 B [ADJ] comparing two things in your life.
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我的中文老师比我的英文老师严格。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode:
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear A + 比 (bǐ) + B + Adjective in real Chinese, not in a textbook.
Fluentide picks the next news episode at your level, so this pattern shows up again and again in real context. The transcript marks it, the audio drills it. Free to start, no card.