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Mandarin Chinese 2 Unit 5: Comparisons with 比, 没有 and 一样

Chinese compares things with the pattern A 比 B + adjective. This unit covers how to add amounts, how to say "not as ... as," how to say "the same," and how to compare actions.

Covers: A 比 B + adjective, Degree and amount after the adjective, 更 and 还 in comparisons, Negative comparisons with 没有, 跟…一样 and 不一样, Comparing actions with 得, Superlatives with 最

Study guide

The basic comparison is A 比 B + adjective: 今天比昨天冷 (Today is colder than yesterday), 我哥哥比我高 (My older brother is taller than me). The adjective never takes 很, 非常 or 太 in a 比 sentence; 他比我很高 is a classic error. To intensify, use 更 (even more) or 还 (even, still) before the adjective: 他比我更高, 上海比北京还大. 还 often suggests surprise. The adjective form does not change, and there is no word for "-er": the comparison comes entirely from 比.

To say how big the difference is, put the amount after the adjective. Use 一点儿 or 一些 for a little: 这件比那件贵一点儿. Use 多了 or 得多 for much: 这件比那件贵多了 / 贵得多. Use a specific quantity for exact differences: 哥哥比我大三岁 (My brother is three years older than me), 这本书比那本贵十块钱. If one bag costs 80 yuan and another costs 50, the first is 贵三十块. Never place the amount before the adjective: 他比我三岁大 is wrong.

For negative comparison, Chinese prefers A 没有 B (那么/这么) + adjective, meaning "A is not as ... as B": 我没有我哥哥那么高 (I'm not as tall as my brother). 那么 or 这么 adds "that/this much." A 不比 B + adjective is also possible but has a special meaning: it denies someone else's claim, often meaning "no more ... than" or "about the same": 他不比我高 suggests he is not taller (maybe the same height). To say two things are the same, use A 跟 B 一样 (+ adjective): 我的手机跟你的一样 or 这本书跟那本一样贵. The negative is A 跟 B 不一样.

To compare actions, combine 比 with a degree complement. 比 can go before the verb or after 得: 他比我跑得快 or 他跑得比我快. With objects, repeat the verb or move the object forward: 她说中文说得比我流利 or 她中文说得比我流利. Some verbs of liking or wanting can take 比 directly: 我比他更喜欢吃辣的. Finally, to say "the most," put 最 before the adjective or verb: 他是我们班最高的学生, 我最喜欢夏天. Unlike 比 sentences, 最 sentences do not need a second item.

Key ideas

• A 比 B + adjective means A is more [adjective] than B.
• Do not use 很, 非常 or 太 in a 比 sentence; use 更 or 还 instead.
• The difference goes after the adjective: 一点儿, 多了, 得多 or an exact amount.
• A 没有 B (那么) + adjective means A is not as [adjective] as B.
• A 跟 B 一样 (+ adjective) means the same; 不一样 means different.
• Compare actions with 比 before the verb or after 得.
• 最 + adjective expresses the superlative.

Formulas and rules

Common mistakes

• Adding 很 or 非常 to the adjective in a 比 sentence.
• Putting the difference before the adjective (比我三岁大).
• Negating with 不比 when the meaning is simply "not as ... as"; use 没有.
• Using 没有…更 instead of 没有…那么.
• Writing 一样 without 跟 or 和 to connect the two items.

Before the test, make sure you can

• Build 比 sentences with and without 更/还.
• Add a little, much, or an exact difference after the adjective.
• Calculate and state exact differences in age, price or height.
• Say "not as ... as" with 没有 (那么).
• Say "the same" and "different" with 跟…一样.
• Compare how two people do an action using 得 and 比.
• Use 最 for superlatives.

Words to know

比

compared to, than (bǐ)

更

even more (gèng)

最

most (zuì)

一样

same (yíyàng)

那么

that (much) (nàme)

差不多

about the same (chàbuduō)

高

tall (gāo)

矮

short (height) (ǎi)

大

big; older (dà)

小

small; younger (xiǎo)

胖

fat (pàng)

瘦

thin (shòu)

贵

expensive (guì)

便宜

cheap (piányi)

冷

cold (lěng)

热

hot (rè)

暖和

warm (nuǎnhuo)

块

yuan (spoken) (kuài)

岁

years of age (suì)

公分

centimeter (gōngfēn)

公斤

kilogram (gōngjīn)

度

degree (dù)

Sample practice questions

30 more questions like these, from level 1 to 5, are in the practice set.