比 (bǐ) — than; to compare

比 (bǐ)

比 is the core comparison word in Chinese. The standard structure is A + 比 + B + adjective, meaning "A is more [adjective] than B." A key rule: you cannot add 更 (gèng) or 非常 (fēicháng) after the adjective in the same sentence with 比. Use a specific amount or simply the plain adjective instead.

Meanings

1. [preposition] Than. Introduces the second term in a comparison.
2. [verb] To compare. Used in contexts like 比一比 (let's compare) or 没法比 (no comparison).

Example Sentences

他比我高。 Tā bǐ wǒ gāo. He is taller than me.

今天比昨天冷多了。 Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān lěng duō le. Today is much colder than yesterday.

这本书比那本书便宜十块钱。 Zhè běn shū bǐ nà běn shū piányí shí kuài qián. This book is ten yuan cheaper than that one.

你觉得汉语比英语难吗？ Nǐ juéde Hànyǔ bǐ Yīngyǔ nán ma? Do you think Chinese is harder than English?

Collocations

Memory Hook

Imagine two people standing next to each other on a scale — one side goes down. The heavier one "wins" the comparison. 比 is the scale itself, always sitting between the two things being weighed.