What are common mistakes with 比较句?

Adding 很 in 比 sentences (*他比我很高) is the most common error. Also, word order: A 比 B Adj, not *A Adj 比 B. 🇬🇧 English speakers: English puts 'than' after the adjective (taller than); Chinese puts 比 before it (比 me tall). 🇷🇺 Russian speakers: Russian чем comes after the adjective too — Chinese reverses this order. 🇨🇿 Czech speakers: Czech než comes after — Chinese 比 comes before the adjective.

比较句: rules, examples & exercises | Chinese Grammar A1

比较句

A1 — 形容词

Making comparisons with 比

I can compare two things using 比 and 没有

Making comparisons with 比

Examples

北京比上海大。 — Beijing is bigger than Shanghai.
咖啡比茶贵一点。 — Coffee is a little more expensive than tea.
他没有我高。 — He is not as tall as me.

形容词A1

Comparisons with 比

Making comparisons with 比

Learning Goal

I can compare two things using 比 and 没有

Exam Skills:HSK 1 ReadingHSK 1 Writing

Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?

北京比上海大。

Beijing is bigger than Shanghai.

咖啡比茶贵一点。

Coffee is a little more expensive than tea.

他没有我高。

He is not as tall as me.

Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?

比较句 — Comparisons with 比

Use 比 (bǐ) to compare two things. The structure is different from English — the comparison marker comes before the adjective.

Structure: A + 比 + B + Adjective

Chinese	Pinyin	English
他比我高。	Tā bǐ wǒ gāo.	He is taller than me.
今天比昨天冷。	Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān lěng.	Today is colder than yesterday.

Key rule: Do NOT use 很 with 比. Say 他比我高, NOT *他比我很高.

Negation: 没有 replaces 比: A + 没有 + B + Adj. 他没有我高 (He's not as tall as me).

Degree: Add 多了, 一点: 他比我高多了 (much taller), 他比我高一点 (a little taller).

Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises

Practice Exercises

Adding 很 in 比 sentences (*他比我很高) is the most common error. Also, word order: A 比 B Adj, not *A Adj 比 B. 🇬🇧 English speakers: English puts 'than' after the adjective (taller than); Chinese puts 比 before it (比 me tall).

Common Error Patterns

Used 很 inside a 比 comparison (*他比我很高)

Never use 很 with 比. Say 他比我高, not *他比我很高.

Placed adjective before 比 instead of after

Structure is A + 比 + B + Adj. The adjective always comes last.

北京比上海大。

Beijing is bigger than Shanghai.

A(北京) + 比 + B(上海) + Adj(大). The adjective comes last, after both compared items.

咖啡比茶贵一点。

Coffee is a little more expensive than tea.

一点 (yìdiǎn) after the adjective adds 'a little bit' — 贵一点 = a little more expensive.

他没有我高。

He is not as tall as me.

Negative comparison uses 没有 instead of 比: A + 没有 + B + Adj = 'A is not as Adj as B'.

Practice in course

Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises

A1 Course

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Frequently asked questions

When is 比较句 used?: Use 比 (bǐ) to compare two things. The structure is different from English — the comparison marker comes before the adjective.
How is 比较句 formed?: Negation: 没有 replaces 比: A + 没有 + B + Adj. 他没有我高 (He's not as tall as me). Degree: Add 多了, 一点: 他比我高多了 (much taller), 他比我高一点 (a little taller).
What are common mistakes with 比较句?: Adding 很 in 比 sentences (*他比我很高) is the most common error. Also, word order: A 比 B Adj, not *A Adj 比 B. 🇬🇧 English speakers: English puts 'than' after the adjective (taller than); Chinese puts 比 before it (比 me tall). 🇷🇺 Russian speakers: Russian чем comes after the adjective too — Chinese reverses this order. 🇨🇿 Czech speakers: Czech než comes after — Chinese 比 comes before the adjective.