比べる (くらべる) — Japanese Vocabulary
比べる (くらべる / kuraberu): to compare. N4 level Japanese vocabulary.
比べる — くらべる (kuraberu)
Part of speech: verb-ru (Ichidan verb) JLPT level: N4 Reading: くらべる (kuraberu) Meaning: to compare
Word Breakdown
- 比 (HI / くら.べる): This kanji depicts two people standing side-by-side, representing the act of comparison or ranking. It is commonly used in words related to ratios and proportions.
All Readings
- 比
- On-yomi (音読み): ヒ (hi)
- Kun-yomi (訓読み): くら.べる (kuraberu)
- Note: In this word, the kun-yomi "kuraberu" is used.
Example Sentences
| Japanese | Reading | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 二つを比べてください。 | ふたつをくらべてください。 | Futatsu o kurabete kudasai. | Please compare the two. |
| 昔と今を比べる。 | むかしといまをくらべる。 | Mukashi to ima o kuraberu. | To compare the past and the present. |
| 誰かと比べるのはやめよう。 | だれかとくらべるのはやめよう。 | Dareka to kuraberu no wa yameyou. | Let's stop comparing ourselves to others. |
| 値段を比べてから買う。 | ねだんをくらべてからかう。 | Nedan o kurabete kara kau. | I will buy it after comparing the prices. |
| 兄と弟を比べる。 | あにとおとうとをくらべる。 | Ani to otōto o kuraberu. | To compare an older brother and a younger brother. |
| 予想と結果を比べる。 | よそうとけっかをくらべる。 | Yosō to kekka o kuraberu. | To compare the prediction and the result. |
| どちらが良いか比べてみる。 | どちらがよいかくらべてみる。 | Dochira ga yoi ka kurabete miru. | I will try comparing them to see which is better. |
| 彼は自分と他人をよく比べる。 | かれはじぶんとたにんをよくくらべる。 | Kare wa jibun to tanin o yoku kuraberu. | He often compares himself with others. |
Conjugation Table
| Form | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| Plain Present | 比べる | kuraberu |
| Plain Negative | 比べない | kurabenai |
| Plain Past | 比べた | kurabeta |
| Plain Past Negative | 比べなかった | kurabenakatta |
| Polite Present | 比べます | kurabemasu |
| Polite Negative | 比べません | kurabemasen |
| Polite Past | 比べました | kurabemashita |
| Te-form | 比べて | kurabete |
| Potential | 比べられる | kuraberareru |
| Passive | 比べられる | kuraberareru |
| Causative | 比べさせる | kurabesaseru |
Related Words and Compounds
| Japanese | Reading | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 比較 | ひかく | hikaku | comparison |
| 比率 | ひりつ | hiritsu | ratio/proportion |
| 対比 | たいひ | taihi | contrast |
| 比例 | ひれい | hirei | proportion |
| 比べるもの | くらべるもの | kuraberu mono | something to compare with |
| 食べ比べる | たべくらべる | tabekuraberu | to compare by tasting |
| 見比べる | みくらべる | mikuraberu | to compare by looking |
| 競う | きそう | kisou | to compete/vie |
Common Mistakes
- ❌ 私は彼を比べる。 → ✓ 私は彼と自分を比べる。
- Explanation: "Compare" in Japanese requires the particle と (to) to indicate who or what you are comparing someone/something with.
- ❌ 比べること。 → ✓ 比べるもの。
- Explanation: When referring to "a thing to compare," use the noun mono (thing) rather than the nominalizer koto (act/fact).
In Context — Mini Dialogue
A: この二つのスマホ、どっちがいいかな？ (Kono futatsu no sumaho, dotchi ga ii kana?) Which of these two smartphones do you think is better?
B: スペックを比べてみよう。 (Supekku o kurabete miyō.) Let's try comparing the specs.
A: こっちの方が安いね。 (Kotchi no hō ga yasui ne.) This one is cheaper, isn't it?
B: でも、カメラはあっちの方が良さそうだね。 (Demo, kamera wa atchi no hō ga yosasō da ne.) But the camera on that one looks better.
Usage Notes
- Nuance: Kuraberu is the standard, neutral verb for comparing two or more things. It is used in both casual and formal contexts. When you want to express the act of comparing things by doing them (e.g., tasting two cakes to see which is better), you can attach it to the stem of another verb, such as tabekuraberu (to taste-test/compare).
- Comparison with "Hikaku": Hikaku (比較) is a Sino-Japanese noun (suru-verb) that is more formal and analytical. While kuraberu is used in everyday conversation, hikaku is preferred in academic, business, or technical reports (e.g., "comparison of data").
- Cultural Context: In Japanese culture, comparing oneself to others (hito to kuraberu) is often discussed in the context of social pressure or self-improvement. Using the phrase dareka to kuraberu no wa yameyou (let's stop comparing ourselves to others) is a common way to express the importance of focusing on one's own path.