Comparatives
Reach for these patterns whenever you want to compare two things — A is bigger than B, A is less expensive than B, A is better than B. In Chinese, the workhorse is 比 ('compared to'): A + 比 + B + Adjective. To say A is NOT more X than B, use 没有: A + 没有 + B + Adjective. For equality ('A is the same as B'), use 跟/和 + B + 一样. Neutral, everyday register, used constantly in shopping, decisions, opinions, and descriptions.
Structure
A + 比 + B + Adjective (+ amount). / A + 没有 + B + Adjective. / A + 跟/和 + B + 一样 + Adjective.
bǐ / méiyǒu / gēn (hé) ... yīyàng
How to Think About It
Chinese doesn't have a comparative form like English '-er' or French 'plus.' The adjective stays bare; 比 does the comparing. Mental order: subject — 比 — yardstick — adjective. To add 'how much more,' append at the end: 他比我高五厘米 ('he's 5 cm taller than me'). For the negative side, swap in 没有: 他没有我高 ('he's not as tall as me'). For equality, swap in 跟...一样: 他跟我一样高.
Examples
他比我高。
Tā bǐ wǒ gāo.
He's taller than me.
今天比昨天冷一点。
Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān lěng yìdiǎn.
Today is a little colder than yesterday.
这本书没有那本书有意思。
Zhè běn shū méiyǒu nà běn shū yǒuyìsi.
This book isn't as interesting as that one.
我的中文跟他的一样好。
Wǒ de Zhōngwén gēn tā de yīyàng hǎo.
My Chinese is just as good as his.
Common Mistake
Learners add 更 ('more') before the adjective in a 比 sentence, copying English 'more'. But 比 already does the comparison — adding 更 is doubling up. The plain adjective is enough.
他比我更高。
他比我高。
Don't Confuse With
A + 没有 + B + Adjective
Negative comparison: 'A is not as X as B.' Use when A falls short. Don't say 不比 unless you're contradicting a previous claim — 没有 is the standard negative.
A + 跟 + B + 一样 + Adjective
Equality: 'A is just as X as B.' Use when A and B are equal on the trait. The 一样 ('the same') is what flips this from comparison to equivalence.
Adjective + 多了 / 一点
These attach to a 比 sentence to specify degree: 他比我高多了 ('much taller'), 他比我高一点 ('a bit taller'). Don't replace 比 — extend it.
Practice
Fill in: 他____我高。 (taller than)
Show answer
比
Translate to Chinese: My phone is more expensive than his.
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我的手机比他的贵。
Arrange: 比 / 哥哥 / 我 / 大 / 三岁
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哥哥比我大三岁。
Use 比 to compare two people, places, or things in your life.
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北京比上海冷。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode:
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear Comparatives in real Chinese, not in a textbook.
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