比 + Object + Adjective
Reach for this when you want to say one thing is MORE [adjective] than another. 比 sits between the two things being compared, and the adjective comes right after the second thing — no 很, no 非常, no extra intensifier in front of the adjective unless you also give a specific degree. This is the workhorse comparison frame in Chinese, used in speech, writing, and tests.
Structure
[A] 比 [B] [ADJECTIVE] ([DEGREE])。
bǐ
How to Think About It
Think of 比 as a 'greater than' sign: A 比 B means 'A is more than B' along whatever dimension comes next. The adjective is left bare because the comparison itself already tells you the direction — adding 很 to a 比 sentence (A 比 B 很高) sounds like piling 'very' onto 'taller,' which native speakers hear as broken. To dial up the gap, use 更, 多, 一点, 得多 AFTER the adjective.
Examples
今天比昨天冷。
Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān lěng.
Today is colder than yesterday.
这件衣服比那件贵一点。
Zhè jiàn yīfu bǐ nà jiàn guì yīdiǎn.
This piece of clothing is a little more expensive than that one.
坐高铁比开车快得多。
Zuò gāotiě bǐ kāichē kuài de duō.
Taking the high-speed train is much faster than driving.
Common Mistake
Learners insert 很/非常 before the adjective, copying English 'A is very taller than B.' In 比 sentences the adjective stays bare; intensity goes after the adjective with words like 多, 得多, 一点.
他比我很高。
他比我高很多。
Don't Confuse With
A + 没有 + B + Adjective
Used to NEGATE a comparison — 'A is not as [adj] as B.' Pair 比 with this for the full system: 比 ranks A higher, 没有 ranks A lower.
A + 跟 + B + 一样 + Adjective
Says A and B are EQUAL on the dimension. 比 says they are different.
A + 更 + Adjective
更 says A is 'even more [adj]' in a context where the listener already expects A and B to differ. 比 explicitly names both sides of the comparison.
Practice
Fill in the blank: 我哥哥 ___ 我高。
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比
Fill in the blank: 这本书比那本 ___（interesting）。
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有意思
Arrange into a sentence: 上海 / 北京 / 比 / 大 / 一点
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上海比北京大一点。
Translate to Chinese: This phone is more expensive than that one.
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这部手机比那部贵。
Compare two cities or two foods using 比.
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上海的夏天比北京的夏天潮湿。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode:
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear 比 + Object + 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.