Comparisons are everywhere in everyday Chinese.
You may want to say:
This one is cheaper.
Beijing is colder than Shanghai.
Today is better than yesterday.
I want a bigger one.
This restaurant is even better.
To express these ideas, two very useful Chinese words are:
bǐ
比
than / compared with
and:
gèng
更
even more / more
They are related, but they do different jobs.
The easiest way to understand them is:
比 compares two things.
更 increases the degree: more / even more.
Sometimes they appear separately.
Sometimes they appear together.
Let’s look at how they work.
1. 比: Comparing Two Things
The most important comparison pattern for beginners is:
A + 比 + B + Adjective
For example:
Běijīng bǐ Shànghǎi lěng.
北京比上海冷。
Beijing is colder than Shanghai.
Here:
- 北京 = A
- 上海 = B
- 比 = compared with
- 冷 = cold
The sentence literally follows the idea:
Beijing, compared with Shanghai, is cold.
But naturally in English:
Beijing is colder than Shanghai.
2. The Basic 比 Formula
Remember:
A + 比 + B + Adjective
Another example:
zhège bǐ nàge guì.
这个比那个贵。
This one is more expensive than that one.
Another:
jīntiān bǐ zuótiān rè.
今天比昨天热。
Today is hotter than yesterday.
Another:
wǒ gēge bǐ wǒ gāo.
我哥哥比我高。
My older brother is taller than me.
The structure stays the same.
3. More Everyday 比 Examples
Height
tā bǐ wǒ gāo.
他比我高。
He is taller than me.
Price
zhège bǐ nàge piányi.
这个比那个便宜。
This one is cheaper than that one.
Age
wǒ bǐ tā dà liǎng suì.
我比他大两岁。
I’m two years older than him.
Speed
gāotiě bǐ qìchē kuài.
高铁比汽车快。
High-speed rail is faster than a car.
Size
zhè jiān fángzi bǐ nà jiān dà.
这间房子比那间大。
This room is bigger than that one.
4. Chinese Does Not Need “More + Adjective” After 比
This is an important difference from English.
English says:
more expensive
more convenient
more interesting
But Chinese does not need a word meaning “more” after 比.
For example:
zhège bǐ nàge guì.
这个比那个贵。
This one is more expensive than that one.
The word 比 already creates the comparison.
You do not need to add 更 just because English uses “more.”
A Common Beginner Mistake
A learner may think:
more expensive = 更贵
So:
This is more expensive than that.
must be:
这个比那个更贵。
This sentence can be correct.
But the simpler sentence is already complete:
zhège bǐ nàge guì.
这个比那个贵。
This one is more expensive than that one.
So remember:
比 + adjective is enough to make a comparison.
5. Do Not Automatically Add 很 After 比
This is another common beginner mistake.
You learned:
tā hěn gāo.
他很高。
He is tall.
So you may try:
他比我很高。 ❌
But in a normal 比 comparison, we usually do not put 很 directly before the adjective like this.
Say:
tā bǐ wǒ gāo.
他比我高。
He is taller than me.
Not:
他比我很高。
Compare These Two Sentences
Description
tā hěn gāo.
他很高。
He is tall.
Comparison
tā bǐ wǒ gāo.
他比我高。
He is taller than me.
The first describes him.
The second compares him with me.
6. 比 Can Compare People
For example:
wǒ mèimei bǐ wǒ xiǎo.
我妹妹比我小。
My younger sister is younger than me.
tā bǐ wǒ máng.
他比我忙。
He is busier than me.
wǒ bǐ tā zǎo dào.
我比他早到。
I arrived earlier than him.
tā bǐ wǒ shuō de kuài.
他说得比我快。
He speaks faster than I do.
You can compare:
- age
- height
- speed
- ability
- habits
- actions
- almost anything else
7. 比 Can Compare Places
For example:
Běijīng bǐ Shànghǎi lěng.
北京比上海冷。
Beijing is colder than Shanghai.
Duōlúnduō bǐ Wēngēhuá lěng.
多伦多比温哥华冷。
Toronto is colder than Vancouver.
zhèlǐ bǐ nàlǐ ānjìng.
这里比那里安静。
It is quieter here than there.
shìzhōngxīn bǐ zhèlǐ rènao.
市中心比这里热闹。
Downtown is livelier than here.
8. 比 Can Compare Times
You can also compare today with yesterday, this year with last year, morning with evening, and so on.
For example:
jīntiān bǐ zuótiān nuǎnhuo.
今天比昨天暖和。
Today is warmer than yesterday.
jīnnián bǐ qùnián máng.
今年比去年忙。
This year is busier than last year.
xiànzài bǐ yǐqián hǎo duō le.
现在比以前好多了。
Things are much better now than before.
This last sentence is especially common in conversation.
9. Adding a Specific Difference
Sometimes you want to say exactly how much bigger, older, taller, or more expensive something is.
The pattern is often:
A + 比 + B + Adjective + Amount
For example:
wǒ bǐ tā dà liǎng suì.
我比他大两岁。
I’m two years older than him.
tā bǐ wǒ gāo shí gōngfēn.
他比我高十公分。
He is ten centimetres taller than me.
zhège bǐ nàge guì wǔshí kuài.
这个比那个贵五十块。
This one is 50 yuan more expensive than that one.
jīntiān bǐ zuótiān lěng wǔ dù.
今天比昨天冷五度。
Today is five degrees colder than yesterday.
Notice where the amount goes:
after the adjective
10. 一点儿: A Little More
If the difference is small, you can use:
yìdiǎnr
一点儿
a little
For example:
zhège bǐ nàge dà yìdiǎnr.
这个比那个大一点儿。
This one is a little bigger than that one.
jīntiān bǐ zuótiān lěng yìdiǎnr.
今天比昨天冷一点儿。
Today is a little colder than yesterday.
zhè jiàn bǐ nà jiàn piányi yìdiǎnr.
这件比那件便宜一点儿。
This one is a little cheaper than that one.
11. 多了: Much More
If the difference is large, a very natural expression is:
duō le
多了
much more / a lot more
For example:
zhège bǐ nàge hǎo duō le.
这个比那个好多了。
This one is much better than that one.
xiànzài bǐ yǐqián fāngbiàn duō le.
现在比以前方便多了。
It is much more convenient now than before.
tā de Zhōngwén bǐ qùnián hǎo duō le.
他的中文比去年好多了。
His Chinese is much better than last year.
This is an extremely useful spoken pattern.
12. Now Let’s Look at 更
So what does:
gèng
更
do?
A useful beginner meaning is:
more / even more
Unlike 比, 更 does not necessarily introduce the thing being compared.
It focuses on the degree.
For example:
zhège gèng hǎo.
这个更好。
This one is better / even better.
The comparison may already be understood from context.
13. Imagine a Shopping Situation
You are looking at two bags.
The first one is good.
Then you see another one.
You say:
zhège gèng hǎo.
这个更好。
This one is even better.
You do not need to say what you are comparing it with.
Everyone already knows.
That is one very common use of 更.
14. More Examples With 更
zhège gèng piányi.
这个更便宜。
This one is cheaper / even cheaper.
nàge gèng dà.
那个更大。
That one is bigger.
jīntiān gèng lěng.
今天更冷。
Today is even colder.
zhè jiā cāntīng gèng hǎo.
这家餐厅更好。
This restaurant is better.
zuò dìtiě gèng fāngbiàn.
坐地铁更方便。
Taking the subway is more convenient.
In these sentences, the comparison may come from context.
15. 比 and 更 Are Not the Same
This is the key difference.
比
introduces the comparison:
A compared with B
For example:
zhège bǐ nàge hǎo.
这个比那个好。
This one is better than that one.
You clearly mention:
这个 and 那个
更
focuses on degree:
more / even more
For example:
zhège gèng hǎo.
这个更好。
This one is even better.
The other thing may already be understood.
16. 比 and 更 Can Appear Together
This is very useful.
You can say:
A + 比 + B + 更 + Adjective
For example:
zhège bǐ nàge gèng hǎo.
这个比那个更好。
This one is even better than that one.
Another:
zuò gāotiě bǐ kāichē gèng fāngbiàn.
坐高铁比开车更方便。
Taking high-speed rail is more convenient than driving.
Another:
Zhōngwén bǐ wǒ xiǎng de gèng yǒu yìsi.
中文比我想的更有意思。
Chinese is more interesting than I expected.
Here:
比 tells us what is being compared.
更 strengthens the degree.
17. Do You Need 更 After 比?
No.
Compare:
zhège bǐ nàge hǎo.
这个比那个好。
and:
zhège bǐ nàge gèng hǎo.
这个比那个更好。
Both can be correct.
The first is a simple comparison:
This one is better than that one.
The second gives a little more emphasis:
This one is even better / more clearly better than that one.
So:
比 does the comparison.
更 adds emphasis to the degree.
18. A Useful Way to Think About 更
Imagine you already have a level.
Then something goes beyond it.
For example:
jīntiān hěn lěng.
今天很冷。
Today is cold.
Tomorrow may be:
míngtiān gèng lěng.
明天更冷。
Tomorrow will be even colder.
Or:
zhège hěn hǎo.
这个很好。
This one is very good.
Then you see another one:
nàge gèng hǎo.
那个更好。
That one is even better.
That “go one step further” feeling is very common with 更.
19. 更好 Is Extremely Common
One of the most useful combinations is:
gèng hǎo
更好
better / even better
For example:
zhèyàng gèng hǎo.
这样更好。
This way is better.
míngtiān qù gèng hǎo.
明天去更好。
It would be better to go tomorrow.
duō liànxí huì gèng hǎo.
多练习会更好。
More practice will make it better.
zhège bànfǎ gèng hǎo.
这个办法更好。
This method is better.
You will hear 更好 constantly.
20. 更方便
Another useful phrase:
gèng fāngbiàn
更方便
more convenient
For example:
zuò dìtiě gèng fāngbiàn.
坐地铁更方便。
Taking the subway is more convenient.
yòng shǒujī fùkuǎn gèng fāngbiàn.
用手机付款更方便。
Paying by phone is more convenient.
wǎngshang mǎi gèng fāngbiàn.
网上买更方便。
Buying it online is more convenient.
21. 更便宜
gèng piányi
更便宜
cheaper / even cheaper
For example:
wǎngshang gèng piányi.
网上更便宜。
It is cheaper online.
zhè jiā diàn gèng piányi.
这家店更便宜。
This store is cheaper.
dàbā bǐ chūzūchē gèng piányi.
大巴比出租车更便宜。
The bus is cheaper than a taxi.
22. 更喜欢
更 can also be used with some verbs and mental preferences.
For example:
wǒ gèng xǐhuan zhège.
我更喜欢这个。
I prefer this one.
Literally:
I like this one more.
Another:
wǒ gèng xǐhuan hē chá.
我更喜欢喝茶。
I prefer drinking tea.
Another:
wǒ gèng xǐhuan chūntiān.
我更喜欢春天。
I prefer spring.
If the comparison is explicit:
wǒ bǐqǐ kāfēi, gèng xǐhuan chá.
比起咖啡，我更喜欢茶。
Compared with coffee, I prefer tea.
This last structure is a little more advanced, so beginners do not need to memorize it yet.
23. Compare 很 and 更
These two are also different.
很
hěn hǎo
很好
very good
It describes a degree.
更
gèng hǎo
更好
better / even better
It suggests comparison.
For example:
zhège hěn hǎo.
这个很好。
This one is very good.
But:
nàge gèng hǎo.
那个更好。
That one is even better.
24. Compare 比, 很, and 更
Look at these three sentences:
Description
zhège hěn hǎo.
这个很好。
This one is very good.
Direct comparison
zhège bǐ nàge hǎo.
这个比那个好。
This one is better than that one.
Stronger comparison
zhège bǐ nàge gèng hǎo.
这个比那个更好。
This one is even better than that one.
This is a useful three-way contrast.
25. Real-Life Situation: Shopping
Imagine you are comparing two shirts.
A: nǐ xǐhuan nǎ jiàn?
A: 你喜欢哪件？
A: Which one do you like?
B: zhè jiàn bǐ nà jiàn piányi.
B: 这件比那件便宜。
B: This one is cheaper than that one.
Then you try another shirt.
B: dànshì zhè jiàn gèng hǎokàn.
B: 但是这件更好看。
B: But this one looks better.
Here:
比 creates one direct comparison.
更 refers to another comparison that is already clear from the situation.
26. Real-Life Situation: Choosing Transportation
A: wǒmen kāichē háishi zuò dìtiě?
A: 我们开车还是坐地铁？
A: Should we drive or take the subway?
B: zuò dìtiě bǐ kāichē kuài.
B: 坐地铁比开车快。
B: Taking the subway is faster than driving.
A: érqiě gèng fāngbiàn.
A: 而且更方便。
A: And it’s more convenient.
The comparison has already been established.
So 更 can continue the idea naturally.
27. Real-Life Situation: Restaurants
zhè jiā cāntīng bǐ nà jiā piányi.
这家餐厅比那家便宜。
This restaurant is cheaper than that one.
dànshì nà jiā gèng hǎochī.
但是那家更好吃。
But the food at that one is better.
Another:
zhè jiā bǐ nà jiā ānjìng.
这家比那家安静。
This one is quieter than that one.
wǒ gèng xǐhuan zhè jiā.
我更喜欢这家。
I prefer this one.
28. Real-Life Situation: Learning Chinese
These comparison patterns are also useful for talking about learning.
Zhōngwén de fāyīn bǐ Yīngyǔ nán ma?
中文的发音比英语难吗？
Is Chinese pronunciation harder than English pronunciation?
Possible answer:
shēngdiào bǐjiào nán.
声调比较难。
Tones are relatively difficult.
Or:
duì wǒ láishuō, Hànzì gèng nán.
对我来说，汉字更难。
For me, Chinese characters are harder.
Another:
wǒ xiànzài bǐ yǐqián shuō de hǎo duō le.
我现在比以前说得好多了。
I speak much better now than before.
That is a great sentence for learners to use about themselves.
29. 比 With Verbs
比 is not limited to simple adjectives.
You can compare actions too.
For example:
tā bǐ wǒ pǎo de kuài.
他比我跑得快。
He runs faster than me.
Another natural structure is:
tā pǎo de bǐ wǒ kuài.
他跑得比我快。
He runs faster than me.
For beginners, the important thing is to recognize that Chinese can compare how someone performs an action.
Another:
tā Zhōngwén shuō de bǐ wǒ hǎo.
他中文说得比我好。
He speaks Chinese better than me.
Another:
wǒ mèimei shuì de bǐ wǒ zǎo.
我妹妹睡得比我早。
My younger sister goes to sleep earlier than I do.
This pattern can be explored more deeply later.
30. Common Beginner Mistake: Using 是 With 比
English says:
A is bigger than B.
So learners sometimes try:
A 是比 B 大。 ❌
But basic Chinese comparison sentences do not normally need 是.
Say:
A bǐ B dà.
A 比 B 大。
A is bigger than B.
For example:
zhège bǐ nàge dà.
这个比那个大。
Not:
这个是比那个大。
31. Common Beginner Mistake: Copying English Word Order
English:
My brother is taller than me.
Chinese:
wǒ gēge bǐ wǒ gāo.
我哥哥比我高。
Think:
My brother + compared with + me + tall
Chinese puts 比 before the thing you are comparing with.
32. Common Beginner Mistake: 比较 Is Not the Same as 比
You may also see:
bǐjiào
比较
It contains 比, but it is not exactly the same grammar pattern.
For example:
zhège bǐjiào guì.
这个比较贵。
This one is relatively expensive / rather expensive.
Here, 比较 means something closer to:
relatively / rather / comparatively
But:
zhège bǐ nàge guì.
这个比那个贵。
This one is more expensive than that one.
uses 比 to compare two specific things.
For beginners:
比 + B = compare with B
比较 + adjective = relatively / rather
Do not mix them up.
33. Common Beginner Mistake: Thinking 更 Must Always Have 比
更 can appear without 比.
For example:
zhège gèng hǎo.
这个更好。
This one is better.
The comparison is understood from context.
So:
比 needs an explicit comparison target in the basic structure.
But:
更 can work when that comparison is already understood.
34. Common Beginner Mistake: Thinking 比 Always Means “Than”
The English word “than” is a useful translation.
But it is better to understand the Chinese structure directly.
For example:
wǒ bǐ tā gāo.
Rather than mentally building:
I + than + him + tall
think:
Me compared with him → taller
This helps you stop trying to force English grammar into Chinese word order.
See the Difference
Just describing something
zhège hěn guì.
这个很贵。
This is very expensive.
Comparing two things
zhège bǐ nàge guì.
这个比那个贵。
This is more expensive than that one.
Saying one is even more expensive
zhège gèng guì.
这个更贵。
This one is even more expensive.
Explicit comparison + extra emphasis
zhège bǐ nàge gèng guì.
这个比那个更贵。
This one is even more expensive than that one.
Quick Summary
比
Use 比 when you want to clearly compare A with B.
Pattern
A + 比 + B + Adjective
Example:
tā bǐ wǒ gāo.
他比我高。
He is taller than me.
更
Use 更 to mean:
more / even more
Example:
zhège gèng hǎo.
这个更好。
This one is better / even better.
The comparison may already be understood.
比 + 更
You can combine them:
A + 比 + B + 更 + Adjective
Example:
zuò dìtiě bǐ kāichē gèng fāngbiàn.
坐地铁比开车更方便。
Taking the subway is more convenient than driving.
Try It Yourself
Choose 比 or 更.
1. Beijing is colder than Shanghai.
Běijīng ___ Shànghǎi lěng.
北京___上海冷。
Answer:
bǐ
比
Běijīng bǐ Shànghǎi lěng.
北京比上海冷。
Beijing is colder than Shanghai.
2. This one is even better.
zhège ___ hǎo.
这个___好。
Answer:
gèng
更
zhège gèng hǎo.
这个更好。
This one is even better.
3. Today is hotter than yesterday.
jīntiān ___ zuótiān rè.
今天___昨天热。
Answer:
bǐ
比
jīntiān bǐ zuótiān rè.
今天比昨天热。
Today is hotter than yesterday.
4. Taking the subway is more convenient.
The comparison is already understood.
zuò dìtiě ___ fāngbiàn.
坐地铁___方便。
Answer:
gèng
更
zuò dìtiě gèng fāngbiàn.
坐地铁更方便。
Taking the subway is more convenient.
5. This shirt is a little cheaper than that one.
zhè jiàn ___ nà jiàn piányi yìdiǎnr.
这件___那件便宜一点儿。
Answer:
bǐ
比
zhè jiàn bǐ nà jiàn piányi yìdiǎnr.
这件比那件便宜一点儿。
This shirt is a little cheaper than that one.
6. This method is much better than that one.
Answer:
zhège bànfǎ bǐ nàge hǎo duō le.
这个办法比那个好多了。
This method is much better than that one.
You could also say:
zhège bànfǎ bǐ nàge gèng hǎo.
这个办法比那个更好。
This method is better than that one.
Make It Personal
Comparisons become much easier when you use your own life.
Try completing these sentences.
Compare two cities
______ bǐ ______ ______.
比。
For example:
Duōlúnduō bǐ Wēngēhuá lěng.
多伦多比温哥华冷。
Toronto is colder than Vancouver.
Compare two foods
______ bǐ ______ hǎochī.
______比______好吃。
______ tastes better than ______.
Compare yourself now with before
wǒ xiànzài bǐ yǐqián ______.
我现在比以前______。
Now I am ______ than before.
For example:
wǒ xiànzài bǐ yǐqián máng.
我现在比以前忙。
I’m busier now than before.
Or:
wǒ xiànzài de Zhōngwén bǐ yǐqián hǎo duō le.
我现在的中文比以前好多了。
My Chinese is much better now than before.
The Most Important Thing to Remember
Do not make comparison sentences harder than they need to be.
Start with:
A + 比 + B + adjective
For example:
tā bǐ wǒ gāo.
他比我高。
He is taller than me.
That is enough to make a complete comparison.
Then use:
更 + adjective
when you want the idea of:
more / even more
For example:
zhège gèng hǎo.
这个更好。
This one is even better.
And when you need both ideas:
zhège bǐ nàge gèng hǎo.
这个比那个更好。
This one is even better than that one.
You’re Making Progress
If you can understand the difference between:
zhège hěn hǎo.
这个很好。
This one is very good.
zhège bǐ nàge hǎo.
这个比那个好。
This one is better than that one.
and:
zhège gèng hǎo.
这个更好。
This one is even better.
then you already understand the heart of Chinese comparison sentences.
Start with things around you.
Compare:
- two foods
- two cities
- two phones
- two restaurants
- today and yesterday
- your Chinese now and six months ago
That is how grammar stops feeling like a rule and starts becoming something you can actually use.
Continue the Chinese Comparison Series
Next: 最 — How to Say “The Most” in Chinese
Once you can compare two things, the next step is talking about the highest degree:
zuì hǎo
最好
the best
zuì guì
最贵
the most expensive
zuì xǐhuan
最喜欢
like the most / favorite
In the next lesson, we’ll look at how 最 works, why Chinese does not need words like “-est,” and how to use expressions such as:
wǒ zuì xǐhuan zhège.
我最喜欢这个。
I like this one the most.