Adjective + 于: Formal Comparison in Chinese
A+形容词+于+B
A + adjective + 于 + B is a concise formal comparison meaning that A exceeds or falls below B in the named property, as in 高于 or 低于. The comparative adjective must precede 于 and the standard follows it. Do not add 比, 很, or another competing comparison marker in the same predicate.
Published July 23, 2026
Reviewed July 23, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
A + Comparative adjective + 于 + B
Read the structure
A + adjective + 于 + B is a concise formal comparison meaning that A exceeds or falls below B in the named property, as in 高于 or 低于. The comparative adjective must precede 于 and the standard follows it. Do not add 比, 很, or another competing comparison marker in the same predicate. Keep the model A + Comparative adjective + 于 + B visible while you compare each sentence.
今年的收入高于去年。
This year's income is higher than last year's.
Choose the right context
Compare measurable properties in formal reports. Use lexical comparisons such as 高于, 低于, or 重于. Place the comparison standard directly after 于.
安全重于速度。
Safety is more important than speed.
Respect the boundary
Do not add 比 before the same standard. Do not reverse 于 and the adjective. Do not insert 很 into the comparative predicate.
今年收入比高于去年。
(This year's income compared higher-than last year.)
Repair the pattern
比 and 于 mark the same comparison: 高于 already encodes the comparison; another 比 is redundant and ungrammatical in the same predicate. 于 precedes the comparative adjective: The formal comparison order is adjective + 于 + standard: 高于去年.
今年收入高于去年。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
今年的收入高于去年。
This year's income is higher than last year's.
今年
A
This part occupies the A position in the model pattern.
的
Comparative adjective
This part occupies the Comparative adjective position in the model pattern.
收入
于
This part occupies the 于 position in the model pattern.
高于
B
This part occupies the B position in the model pattern.
去年
A
This part occupies the A position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
今年的收入高于去年。
This year's income is higher than last year's.
安全重于速度。
Safety is more important than speed.
该指标仍低于行业平均水平。
This indicator remains below the industry average.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Compare measurable properties in formal reports.
- Use lexical comparisons such as 高于, 低于, or 重于.
- Place the comparison standard directly after 于.
Do not use it when
- Do not add 比 before the same standard.
- Do not reverse 于 and the adjective.
- Do not insert 很 into the comparative predicate.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
今年收入比高于去年。
今年收入高于去年。
比 and 于 mark the same comparison
高于 already encodes the comparison; another 比 is redundant and ungrammatical in the same predicate.
今年收入于高去年。
今年收入高于去年。
于 precedes the comparative adjective
The formal comparison order is adjective + 于 + standard: 高于去年.
今年收入比高于去年。
高于 already encodes the comparison; another 比 is redundant and ungrammatical in the same predicate.
今年收入于高去年。
The formal comparison order is adjective + 于 + standard: 高于去年.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with A+形容词+于+B.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with A+形容词+于+B. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
Adjective + 于: Formal Comparison Questions
Which adjectives commonly occur before 于?
高, 低, 大, 小, 多, 少, 重, and 优 can form formal comparative predicates with 于.
How is 高于 different from 比…高?
Their comparison can overlap, but 高于 is more compact and formal, especially in reports.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: GF0025-2021 Appendix A, combined Levels 7–9 item 【七—九090】, 比较句6：（2）A+形容词+于+B (printed p. 247)
Supports placement in the official combined Levels 7-9 band; the exact site level remains an internal difficulty label; it does not independently establish the usage explanation.
Official sourceModern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Chapter 33, §§33.1–33.7, more-than, less-than, and formal comparative degree
Supports a comparative predicate before its standard and rejects duplication of competing comparison markers.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
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