比如 (bǐrú) — for example
HSK 4 | conjunction / phrase | for example; for instance; such as
比如 (bǐrú)
比如 is used to introduce an example or illustration of a general statement.
Meanings
- [conjunction] for example; for instance; such as
Example Sentences
很多水果对身体好，比如苹果和橙子。 Hěn duō shuǐguǒ duì shēntǐ hǎo, bǐrú píngguǒ hé chéngzi. Many fruits are good for your health, for example apples and oranges.
你可以用多种方式学习，比如看书或者看视频。 Nǐ kěyǐ yòng duō zhǒng fāngshì xuéxí, bǐrú kànshū huòzhě kàn shìpín. You can learn in many ways, for example by reading books or watching videos.
比如说，如果天气不好，我们就改变计划。 Bǐrú shuō, rúguǒ tiānqì bù hǎo, wǒmen jiù gǎibiàn jìhuà. For example, if the weather is bad, we will change the plan.
有些工作需要特别的技能，比如编程。 Yǒuxiē gōngzuò xūyào tèbié de jìnéng, bǐrú biānchéng. Some jobs require special skills, such as programming.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 比如说 (bǐrú shuō) | for example (spoken) |
| 就比如 (jiù bǐrú) | just like; take for example |
| 再比如 (zài bǐrú) | another example being |
| 比如以下 (bǐrú yǐxià) | for example, the following |
Usage Notes
比如 and 例如 (lìrú) both mean "for example," but 比如 is more conversational while 例如 is more formal and often appears in written Chinese. 比如说 adds 说 to make it sound more natural in speech. It typically appears mid-sentence after making a general claim.
Memory Hook
比 (compare) + 如 (like) — to illustrate a point, you compare it to something like a concrete example.