比 + noun + adjective
Reach for this whenever you want to say one thing is more X than another — 'A is taller/bigger/better than B.' 比 is the core comparison preposition in Chinese, and it sits between the two things being compared. Use it for sizes, ages, prices, qualities — anything gradable. Everyday register — the bread-and-butter comparison structure, taught HSK 1-2 and used constantly in speech and writing.
Structure
Subject A + 比 + B + Adjective + (Degree)
bǐ
How to Think About It
Forget 'than' as a separate word. In Chinese, the comparison sign 比 lives between the two things, and the adjective goes BARE at the end — no 很, no 更, no 'more.' 我比他高 literally reads 'I-COMPARE-him-tall' and means 'I'm taller than him.' Adding 很 (which English speakers want to do because they want a 'be' verb) is wrong. To intensify, use 得多 (much) or specific amounts (三公分) at the end.
Examples
我比他高。
Wǒ bǐ tā gāo.
I'm taller than him.
今天比昨天冷。
Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān lěng.
Today is colder than yesterday.
这本书比那本贵一点。
Zhè běn shū bǐ nà běn guì yìdiǎn.
This book is a bit more expensive than that one.
他的中文比我好得多。
Tā de Zhōngwén bǐ wǒ hǎo de duō.
His Chinese is much better than mine.
Common Mistake
Learners insert 很 before the adjective because the standalone form 'A 很 adj' is so ingrained. With 比, the adjective goes bare. To intensify, add 得多 or a specific quantity at the end.
我比他很高。
我比他高。
Don't Confuse With
A 没有 B + adjective
Negative comparison: 'A is not as X as B.' The negative of 比 is NOT 不比 in most cases — use 没有: 我没有他高 ('I'm not as tall as him').
A 跟/和 B 一样 + adjective
Equal comparison: 'A is just as X as B.' Use when there's no difference, not when one outranks the other.
A 比 B 更 + adjective
Adding 更 ('even more') is allowed and emphasizes a step-up: 'A is EVEN taller than B.' Still no 很 — just 更.
Practice
Fill in: 我 ___ 他高。
Show answer
比
Fix the sentence: 我比他很高。
Show answer
我比他高。
Arrange: 比 / 昨天 / 今天 / 热
Show answer
今天比昨天热。
Translate to Chinese: My older sister is two years older than me.
Show answer
我姐姐比我大两岁。
Use 比 to compare two cities you know.
Show answer
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 比 + noun + 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.