比较 (bǐjiào) — relatively / to compare

比较 (bǐjiào)

比较 works both as an adverb meaning "relatively" or "comparatively" and as a verb meaning "to compare." As an adverb it softens or qualifies a description without an explicit comparison partner.

Meanings

1. [adverb] Relatively; comparatively; rather; fairly.
2. [verb] To compare; to contrast.

Example Sentences

今天天气比较冷。 Jīntiān tiānqì bǐjiào lěng. Today's weather is relatively cold.

我比较喜欢吃中餐。 Wǒ bǐjiào xǐhuān chī Zhōngcān. I rather prefer eating Chinese food.

请比较这两种方法。 Qǐng bǐjiào zhè liǎng zhǒng fāngfǎ. Please compare these two methods.

这道题比较难，需要多思考。 Zhè dào tí bǐjiào nán, xūyào duō sīkǎo. This question is relatively difficult and requires more thought.

Collocations

Memory Hook

比 (side by side — two people next to each other) plus 较 (to weigh / compare). Two people standing side by side, being weighed against each other — that is comparison.