比 (bǐ) for Comparison
Reach for 比 whenever you want to say 'A is more [something] than B' — the everyday comparison structure. You line up two things, drop 比 between them, then state the property: 我比他高 ('I'm taller than him'). Add 一点 / 一些 for 'a bit,' add a number-measure for an exact gap (高五厘米 — 'five cm taller'), or stack 还 / 更 for 'even more.' This is the comparison structure you'll use forever.
Structure
[A] 比 [B] [ADJECTIVE] ([DEGREE])
[A] bǐ [B] ...
How to Think About It
Don't translate 'than' as 比. Think of 比 as a sign that says 'comparing-against': you place it BETWEEN the two items, not after the adjective like English. And do NOT add 很 — '我比他很高' is wrong because 很 is the English-shaped 'very,' and the comparison already conveys gradation. To boost the gap, use 更, 还, 得多, or a specific amount instead.
Examples
我比他高。
Wǒ bǐ tā gāo.
I'm taller than him.
今天比昨天热得多。
Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān rè de duō.
Today is much hotter than yesterday.
这本书比那本书有意思。
Zhè běn shū bǐ nà běn shū yǒu yìsi.
This book is more interesting than that one.
Common Mistake
Learners insert 很 in front of the adjective by reflex, since they're used to 我很高. In a 比 sentence the gradation comes from the comparison itself; 很 doesn't belong there. Use 更, 还, 得多, or a concrete measure to emphasize the gap.
我比他很高。
我比他高。/ 我比他高得多。
Don't Confuse With
A 没有 B (那么) + Adjective
The negative comparison — 'A isn't as ADJ as B.' You do NOT negate 比 with 不比; that has a special pragmatic flavor. For everyday 'less than,' use 没有.
A 跟 B 一样 + Adjective
Equality — 'A is as ADJ as B / A and B are equally ADJ.' Use 跟...一样 when neither side wins; use 比 the moment one side is more.
A 比 B 更 + Adjective
Variation with 更 ('even more'). Use 更 when both A and B already have the quality and A has more of it: '他高, 我比他更高.'
Practice
中国 ___ 日本大。
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比
我妹妹比我 ___ 三岁。
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小
Put in order: [咖啡 / 比 / 茶 / 贵]
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咖啡比茶贵。
Translate to Chinese: 'Today is colder than yesterday.'
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今天比昨天冷。
Write one comparison sentence using 比 about two people, places, or things you know.
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Example answer: 北京比上海冷一点。 (Beijing is a bit colder than Shanghai.)
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode:
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear 比 (bǐ) for Comparison in real Chinese, not in a textbook.
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