比 (bǐ) Comparisons

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to compare two things using the 比 structure and express degree of difference.

The Basic 比 Structure

A 比 B + adjective

• 他比我高。— He is taller than me.
• 今天比昨天冷。— Today is colder than yesterday.
• 这本书比那本书有意思。— This book is more interesting than that one.

The adjective comes after the comparison. There is no word for "more" — the 比 structure itself carries the comparative meaning.

Adding Degree

To say "much more" or "a little more," add degree words after the adjective:

Degree	Chinese	Example	Translation
a little	一点(儿)	他比我高一点。	He's a little taller than me.
a lot	多了	他比我高多了。	He's much taller than me.
specific amount	specific	他比我高五厘米。	He's 5cm taller than me.

Negation: 没有

To say "not as... as," use A 没有 B + adjective (not 不比):

• 他没有我高。— He isn't as tall as me.
• 今天没有昨天冷。— Today isn't as cold as yesterday.
• 这个没有那个好吃。— This one isn't as tasty as that one.

Common mistake: Using 不比 instead of 没有.

• 他不比我高 means "He is not more than me in height" — technically possible but different nuance.
• 他没有我高 is the standard "not as tall" form.

Equality: 跟...一样

To say "as... as" (equal comparison), use A 跟 B 一样 + adjective:

• 他跟我一样高。— He's as tall as me.
• 这个跟那个一样贵。— This one is as expensive as that one.
• 我们一样忙。— We're equally busy.

You can also just say A 跟 B 一样 without an adjective to mean "A is the same as B."

Summary Table

Meaning	Structure	Example
A is more... than B	A 比 B + adj	苹果比橙子甜
A is much more... than B	A 比 B + adj + 多了	苹果比橙子甜多了
A is not as... as B	A 没有 B + adj	苹果没有橙子甜
A is as... as B