As you know, the way to express comparisons in Chinese is by using 比 bǐ. But in this article, we are going to talk about how to make a comparison sentence without 比 bǐ. And a formal way to express comparison sentences in Chinese. comparison sentences in Chinese
Structure
A + Adj. + B + Quantitative Complement
他高我五公分
Tā gāo wǒ wǔ gōngfēn.
He is five centimeters taller than me.
他早我十分鐘到公司
他早我十分钟到公司
Tā zǎo wǒ shí fēnzhōng dào gōngsī.
He arrived at the office ten minutes earlier than me.
姐姐大我十歲
姐姐大我十岁
Jiějie dà wǒ shí suì.
My sister is 10 years older than me.
A + 有 + B + Adj. + 嗎/吗?
This comparison pattern is only used in questions, not statements. And it’s okay to add 這麼/这么 zhème or 那麼/那么 nàme before the adjective to emphasize the degree.
你有比爾蓋茲那麼有錢嗎?
你有比尔盖兹那么有钱吗?
Nǐ yǒu Bǐ’ěr gài zī nàme yǒuqián ma?
Are you as rich as Bill Gates?
她有我美嗎?
她有我美吗?
Tā yǒu wǒ měi ma?
Is she as beautiful as me?
加州的夏天有台灣的這麼熱嗎?
加州的夏天有台湾的这么热吗?
Jiāzhōu de xiàtiān yǒu Táiwān de zhème rè ma?
Is the summer in California as hot as Taiwan?
In this structure sometimes people will drop B when the comparison is clear to understand. But be aware that you are only allowed to drop it when you add 這麼/这么 zhème or 那麼/那么 nàme. It indicates that B is already in a certain level of “adj”, but A even more.
你有那麼有錢嗎?
你有那么有钱吗?
Nǐ yǒu nàme yǒuqián ma?
Are you that rich?
她有這麼美嗎?
她有这么美吗?
Tā yǒu zhème měi ma?
Is she that beautiful?
跟 A 相比, B ……
This comparison pattern is a little bit more formal than others.
跟上次考試相比,這次沒有那麼難
跟上次考试相比,这次没有那么难
Gēn shàngcì kǎoshì xiāngbǐ, zhècì méiyǒu nàme nán.
Compared with the last exam, this one is not so difficult.
跟你相比,我真是太善良了
跟你相比,我真是太善良了
Gēn nǐ xiāngbǐ, wǒ zhēnshi tài shànliángle.
Compared to you, I’m really too kind.
跟去年營業額相比,今年實在太慘了
跟去年营业额相比,今年实在太惨了
Gēn qùnián yíngyè é xiāngbǐ, jīnnián shízài tài cǎnle.
Compared with last year’s sales, this year is really bad.
- Basic Comparisons (HSK 1)