Deep End
← Grammar guides

Level Everyday Chinese · HSK 2

Comparisons: 比, 没有…那么, 更, 像 and 一样

English compares with "-er than". Chinese uses 比 (bǐ) between the two things and leaves the adjective in its plain form: 他比我高, "he compared-to me tall". There's no -er, and no 很.

The rest of the comparison toolkit hangs off that frame: how much, not as, even more, the same as.

A 比 B + adjective

The difference, if you mention it, goes after the adjective: 多了 or 得多 (much), 一点儿 (a bit), or an exact amount (三岁, 十块).

  • 他比我高。

    Tā bǐ wǒ gāo.

    He's taller than me.

  • 今天比昨天冷多了。

    Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān lěng duō le.

    Today is much colder than yesterday.

  • 这个比那个便宜一点儿。

    Zhège bǐ nàge piányi yìdiǎnr.

    This one is a bit cheaper than that one.

  • 我哥哥比我大三岁。

    Wǒ gēge bǐ wǒ dà sān suì.

    My brother is three years older than me.

Not as … as: 没有…(那么)

The usual negative of a 比 sentence is A 没有 B (那么) + adjective: "A doesn't reach B's level". 不比 exists but has a special meaning ("no more ... than", contradicting someone), so stick with 没有. 不如 (not as good as) is a shorter, slightly formal option.

  • 我没有他那么高。

    Wǒ méiyǒu tā nàme gāo.

    I'm not as tall as him.

  • 北京没有上海那么热。

    Běijīng méiyǒu Shànghǎi nàme rè.

    Beijing isn't as hot as Shanghai.

  • 坐公交车不如坐地铁快。

    Zuò gōngjiāochē bùrú zuò dìtiě kuài.

    The bus isn't as fast as the subway.

Even more: 更

更 (gèng) before the adjective means "even more". It works in a 比 sentence (他比我更忙) or without one, when the comparison is clear from context. Never put 很 or 非常 in a 比 sentence.

  • 我觉得这个更好。

    Wǒ juéde zhège gèng hǎo.

    I think this one is even better.

  • 他比我更忙。

    Tā bǐ wǒ gèng máng.

    He's even busier than me.

The same and alike: 一样, 像, 差不多

A 跟 B 一样 means A is the same as B; add an adjective for "as ... as": 我跟他一样高. 像 (xiàng) means "resemble": 他像他爸爸. 差不多 (chàbuduō) is "about the same, nearly". 不同 and 不一样 mean different.

  • 我跟他一样高。

    Wǒ gēn tā yíyàng gāo.

    I'm as tall as him.

  • 他很像他爸爸。

    Tā hěn xiàng tā bàba.

    He looks a lot like his dad.

  • 这两个差不多。

    Zhè liǎng ge chàbuduō.

    These two are about the same.

  • 我的想法跟你的不一样。

    Wǒ de xiǎngfǎ gēn nǐ de bù yíyàng.

    My view is different from yours.

Common mistakes

  • ✗他比我很高。

    ✓他比我高。 / 他比我高多了。

    Tā bǐ wǒ gāo. / Tā bǐ wǒ gāo duō le.

    No 很, 非常 or 太 in a 比 sentence. To say "much", put 多了 after the adjective.

  • ✗他比我三岁大。

    ✓他比我大三岁。

    Tā bǐ wǒ dà sān suì.

    The amount of difference goes after the adjective.

  • ✗我不比他高。 (meaning "I'm not as tall as him")

    ✓我没有他高。

    Wǒ méiyǒu tā gāo.

    The plain negative of 比 is 没有. 不比 means "not taller than", and is used to contradict someone.

Questions learners ask

Where does 比 go if there's a verb?

Usually before the verb phrase or with the 得 pattern: 他跑得比我快 or 他比我跑得快 (he runs faster than me). Both are fine.

Is 一样 one word or two?

One word: yíyàng, literally "one kind". 一 is said yí before the fourth tone of 样.

Practice this in lessons

The Foundations lessons teach this step by step, with exercises and review built in.

Practice this in lessons →

Related grammar guides