HSK 2
The 比 (bǐ) Comparison in Chinese
The 比 sentence compares two things: A 比 B + adjective means "A is more ... than B". The adjective stands alone — degree adverbs like 很, 非常 or 太 can never sit before it. To say by how much, add an amount after the adjective, such as 一点 or 得多.
STRUCTURE
A + 比 + B + Adjective (+ 一点 / 得多)
Right vs. wrong
他比我很高。
他比我高。
Degree adverb before the adjective
我比他不高。
我没有他高。
不比 used where 没有 is meant
Examples
他比我高。
Tā bǐ wǒ gāo.
He is taller than me.
今天比昨天冷。
Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān lěng.
Today is colder than yesterday.
他比我高一点。
Tā bǐ wǒ gāo yìdiǎn.
He is a little taller than me.
这个比那个贵得多。
Zhège bǐ nàge guì de duō.
This one is much more expensive than that one.
Common mistakes
他比我很高。
Tā bǐ wǒ hěn gāo.
Drop 很 — degree adverbs cannot modify the adjective in a 比 comparison: 他比我高。
她比我非常忙。
Tā bǐ wǒ fēicháng máng.
非常 cannot sit before the adjective; to intensify, say 她比我忙得多。
Think you've got it?
Write your own 比 sentence and let the coach check it.