比如说
The everyday way to say 'for example' or 'like, for instance' in spoken Chinese. Use it when you've made a general claim and you're about to drop in a concrete example. It's slightly more conversational than the bare 比如 — the 说 ('say') tacks on the feel of 'let me give you one.' Lives at the start of the example clause, usually after a comma, and it's one of the highest-frequency connectors in real spoken Chinese.
Structure
[GENERAL CLAIM], 比如说 [EXAMPLE]
bǐrú shuō
How to Think About It
比如说 = 比如 + 说. Adding 说 turns a textbook connector into a spoken one — it sounds like 'say, for instance' in English. Use 比如 in writing and formal speech; 比如说 in conversation, lecture, podcasts, anything spoken. The example always follows the phrase, never precedes it.
Examples
我喜欢水果, 比如说苹果和香蕉。
Wǒ xǐhuan shuǐguǒ, bǐrú shuō píngguǒ hé xiāngjiāo.
I like fruits, for example apples and bananas.
比如说, 你可以坐地铁去。
Bǐrú shuō, nǐ kěyǐ zuò dìtiě qù.
For example, you can take the subway.
很多事情都变了, 比如说我们说话的方式。
Hěnduō shìqing dōu biàn le, bǐrú shuō wǒmen shuōhuà de fāngshì.
Many things have changed, for instance the way we talk.
Common Mistake
Learners drop 比如说 in front of a complete sentence and forget the comma, making the connector blur into the next thought. In Chinese, 比如说 is a separate prosodic unit — write a comma after it and pause when speaking.
比如说电脑可以做一个明星。
比如说, 电脑可以做出一个明星。
Don't Confuse With
比如
Drop 说 for a slightly more formal, written feel. Same meaning. 比如 fits essays and reports; 比如说 fits speech.
例如
More formal still — sounds like 'for example' in a textbook or legal document. Avoid in casual conversation.
举个例子
Literally 'give an example.' More deliberate and dramatic — used when you want to slow down and walk the listener through one full case.
Practice
我有很多爱好, ____ 说看电影、跑步。
Show answer
比如
比如 ____ , 北京有很多好吃的。
Show answer
说
Arrange: 比如说 / 我喜欢学语言 / 中文 / ,
Show answer
我喜欢学语言, 比如说中文。
Translate: I like sports, for example basketball.
Show answer
我喜欢运动, 比如说篮球。
Make a general statement about your interests and give an example using 比如说.
Show answer
我喜欢学新东西, 比如说做饭。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode: