比起…来: Compared With in Chinese
比起……来
比起…来 establishes a comparison standard before the main clause, roughly ‘compared with.’ The entity after 比起 is the baseline, and optional 来 closes the frame before the evaluated subject and property. The main clause often contains 更 or 比较, but it does not repeat another 比 before the adjective.
Published July 23, 2026
Reviewed July 23, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
比起 + Comparison standard + 来, Subject + 更 / 比较 + Predicate
Read the structure
比起…来 establishes a comparison standard before the main clause, roughly ‘compared with.’ The entity after 比起 is the baseline, and optional 来 closes the frame before the evaluated subject and property. The main clause often contains 更 or 比较, but it does not repeat another 比 before the adjective. Keep the model 比起 + Comparison standard + 来, Subject + 更 / 比较 + Predicate visible while you compare each sentence.
比起其他人来，我的想法太简单了。
Compared with others, my idea is too simple.
Choose the right context
Front a comparison standard before evaluating the subject. Contrast preferences with 比起 A 来，更喜欢 B. Use in a topic-like comparison spanning a full clause.
比起唱歌来，他更喜欢跳舞。
Compared with singing, he prefers dancing.
Respect the boundary
Do not put 来 before the comparison standard. Do not add another 比 inside the main comparison. Do not omit the property or preference being compared.
比起来其他人，我的想法太简单。
(Compared come others, my idea is simple.)
Repair the pattern
来 precedes the comparison standard: The comparison standard belongs between 比起 and optional 来. A second 比 is redundantly inserted: 比起 already establishes the comparison; the main clause uses 更 without another 比.
比起其他人来，我的想法太简单。
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.
比起其他人来，我的想法太简单了。
Compared with others, my idea is too simple.
比起
比起
This part occupies the 比起 position in the model pattern.
其他
Comparison standard
This part occupies the Comparison standard position in the model pattern.
人
来, Subject
This part occupies the 来, Subject position in the model pattern.
来
更 / 比较
This part occupies the 更 / 比较 position in the model pattern.
，
Predicate
This part occupies the Predicate position in the model pattern.
我的
比起
This part occupies the 比起 position in the model pattern.
想法
Comparison standard
This part occupies the Comparison standard position in the model pattern.
太
来, Subject
This part occupies the 来, Subject position in the model pattern.
简单
更 / 比较
This part occupies the 更 / 比较 position in the model pattern.
了
Predicate
This part occupies the Predicate 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.
比起其他人来，我的想法太简单了。
Compared with others, my idea is too simple.
比起唱歌来，他更喜欢跳舞。
Compared with singing, he prefers dancing.
比起去年，今年的情况好多了。
Compared with last year, the situation is much better this year.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Front a comparison standard before evaluating the subject.
- Contrast preferences with 比起 A 来，更喜欢 B.
- Use in a topic-like comparison spanning a full clause.
Do not use it when
- Do not put 来 before the comparison standard.
- Do not add another 比 inside the main comparison.
- Do not omit the property or preference being compared.
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.
比起来其他人，我的想法太简单。
比起其他人来，我的想法太简单。
来 precedes the comparison standard
The comparison standard belongs between 比起 and optional 来.
比起唱歌来，他比更喜欢跳舞。
比起唱歌来，他更喜欢跳舞。
A second 比 is redundantly inserted
比起 already establishes the comparison; the main clause uses 更 without another 比.
比起来其他人，我的想法太简单。
The comparison standard belongs between 比起 and optional 来.
比起唱歌来，他比更喜欢跳舞。
比起 already establishes the comparison; the main clause uses 更 without another 比.
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 比起……来.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 比起……来. 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
比起…来: Compared With Questions
Is 来 required after 比起?
No. It often closes the comparison frame, but 比起去年，今年… is also complete.
Can 更 appear in the main clause?
Yes. 更 commonly marks the stronger preference or property after the baseline is introduced.
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：比起……（来） (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 and 33.5, more-than comparisons and comparative degree
Supports establishing a comparison baseline before the property and using 更 for increased degree without duplicating 比.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Compare
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