3.3 Comparisons with 比 (bǐ)

The 比 pattern

To compare, use A 比 B + adjective: 我比你高 (wǒ bǐ nǐ gāo) = I am taller than you. 比 (bǐ) means 'compared to.'

Adding degree

Add a degree word after the adjective: 我比你高一点儿 (a little taller) or 高得多 (much taller). Do NOT use 很 in a 比 sentence.

Equality and negation

For 'as...as,' use A 跟 B 一样 + adjective (yíyàng = the same). To say 'not as...as,' use A 没有 B + adjective: 我没有你高 (I'm not as tall as you).

Key terms

A 比 B + adj

comparison: 我比你高 (I'm taller than you)

比 (bǐ)

'compared to / than'

No 很

never use 很 in a 比 sentence

跟…一样

gēn…yíyàng — 'the same as'

A 没有 B + adj

'A is not as … as B'

Try an AP-style question

"我比他高" means…

1. He is taller than me
2. I am taller than him
3. I am very tall
4. We are equally tall