比如，...
Reach for this when you want to introduce an example with a clean, mildly formal feel — 'for example,' 'such as.' 比如 is the workhorse: tighter than spoken 比如说, less stiff than written 例如. It fits essays, presentations, articles, business writing, and educated conversation. Place it after a general statement to launch a list or illustrative case. The comma after 比如 is standard in writing but optional in speech. Neutral register — works almost anywhere except the most formal academic prose.
Structure
Statement, 比如, + Example(s).
bǐ rú
How to Think About It
比如 is the default 'for example' in Chinese. Same role as English 'for example' in writing: it follows a general claim and previews a concrete case. 比 means 'compare,' 如 means 'as if / like' — together, 'comparing to, such as.' Drop the 说 from 比如说 and you sound more written. Pair with a list and you're previewing examples, not exhaustive coverage.
Examples
我喜欢很多运动，比如，游泳和跑步。
Wǒ xǐhuān hěn duō yùndòng, bǐrú, yóuyǒng hé pǎobù.
I like a lot of sports — for example, swimming and running.
中国有很多有名的城市，比如，北京和上海。
Zhōngguó yǒu hěn duō yǒumíng de chéngshì, bǐrú, Běijīng hé Shànghǎi.
China has many famous cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai.
学中文有很多方法，比如，看电视和听音乐。
Xué Zhōngwén yǒu hěn duō fāngfǎ, bǐrú, kàn diànshì hé tīng yīnyuè.
There are many ways to learn Chinese — for example, watching TV and listening to music.
Common Mistake
Learners use 比如 alone without naming what general category they're illustrating. 比如 needs a setup — the general claim comes first, then the example.
比如，我喜欢苹果。(starts a conversation with no prior claim)
我喜欢吃水果，比如，苹果和香蕉。
Don't Confuse With
比如说
Spoken, looser version. Use 比如说 in conversation and podcasts; use 比如 in writing or prepared speech.
例如
More formal still — academic papers, official documents. 比如 covers most professional writing without sounding stiff.
譬如
Literary cousin. Common in essays and editorials, rare in speech. If you'd write it in a newspaper column, 譬如 fits; otherwise stick with 比如.
Practice
Fill in: 我有很多爱好，____，看书和画画。
Show answer
比如
Arrange: 中国菜 / 我 / 比如 / 喜欢 / 饺子
Show answer
我喜欢中国菜，比如饺子。
Translate to Chinese: I like many fruits, for example apples and oranges.
Show answer
我喜欢很多水果，比如，苹果和橘子。
Use 比如 to introduce two examples of a hobby category.
Show answer
我有很多爱好，比如，听音乐和看电影。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode:
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear 比如，... 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.