Advanced Comparisons 1

Grammar Point:
In this article, we’ll explore how to form comparison sentences without using 比 bǐ, as well as a more formal way to express comparisons in Chinese.

Structure

A + Adj. + B + Quantitative Complement

This structure indicates how much A differs from B in terms of a specific quality, often providing the exact numerical difference.

他tā高gāo我wǒ五wǔ公分gōngfēn他tā高gāo我wǒ五wǔ公分gōngfēn
He is five centimeters taller than me.

他tā早zǎo我wǒ十shí分鐘fēnzhōng到dào公司gōngsī他tā早zǎo我wǒ十shí分钟fēnzhōng到dào公司gōngsī
He arrived at the office ten minutes earlier than me.

姐姐jiějie大dà我wǒ十shí歲suì姐姐jiějie大dà我wǒ十shí岁suì
My sister is 10 years older than me.

這個zhège電影diànyǐng長cháng那個nàge一個yíge小時xiǎoshí这个zhège电影diànyǐng长cháng那个nàge一个yíge小时xiǎoshí
This movie is one hour longer than that one.

A + 有 yǒu + B + Adj. + 嗎吗 ma？

This structure is often used to ask about the extent or degree of something, often with an implied comparison to something or someone well-known. And it’s okay to add 這麼么 zhème or 那麼么 nàme before the adjective to emphasize the degree.

你nǐ有yǒu比爾蓋茲bǐěrgàizī那麼nàme有錢yǒuqián嗎ma？ 你nǐ有yǒu比尔盖兹bǐěrgàizī那么nàme有钱yǒuqián吗ma？
Are you as rich as Bill Gates?

她tā有yǒu我wǒ美měi嗎ma？ 她tā有yǒu我wǒ美měi吗ma？
Is she as beautiful as me?

加州jiāzhōu的de夏天xiàtiān有yǒu台灣Táiwān的de這麼zhème熱rè嗎ma？ 加州jiāzhōu的de夏天xiàtiān有yǒu台湾Táiwān的de这么zhème热rè吗ma？
Is the summer in California as hot as Taiwan?

你nǐ的de中文zhōngwén有yǒu我wǒ好hǎo嗎ma？ 你nǐ的de中文zhōngwén有yǒu我wǒ好hǎo吗ma？
Do you speak Chinese better than I do?

In this structure, B can sometimes be omitted if the comparison is obvious from the context. However, you can only omit B when you use words like 這麼么 zhème or 那麼么 nàme. These words show that B is already at a certain level of the adjective, but A is even more so.

你nǐ有yǒu那麼nàme有錢yǒuqián嗎ma？ 你nǐ有yǒu那么nàme有钱yǒuqián吗ma？
Are you that rich?

她tā有yǒu這麼zhème美měi嗎ma？她tā有yǒu这么zhème美měi吗ma？
Is she that beautiful?

你nǐ有yǒu這麼zhème忙máng嗎ma？ 你nǐ有yǒu这么zhèyāo忙máng吗ma？
Are you really that busy?

跟 gēn A 相比 xiāngbǐ， B ……

This comparison pattern, is slightly more formal than other common comparison structures. It’s frequently used in written Chinese, speeches, or formal discussions where a more polished tone is required.

跟gēn上次shàngcì考試kǎoshì相比xiāngbǐ， 這次zhècì沒有méiyǒu那麼nàme難nán跟gēn上次shàngcì考试kǎoshì相比xiāngbǐ， 这次zhècì没有méiyǒu那么nàme难nán
Compared with the last exam, this one is not so difficult.

跟gēn你nǐ相比xiāngbǐ， 我wǒ真zhēn是shì太tài善良shànliáng了le跟gēn你nǐ相比xiāngbǐ， 我wǒ真zhēn是shì太tài善良shànliáng了le
Compared to you, I’m really too kind.

跟gēn他tā哥哥gēge相比xiāngbǐ， 她tā比較bǐjiào安靜ānjìng跟gēn他tā哥哥gēge相比xiāngbǐ， 她tā比较bǐjiào安静ānjìng
Compared to her older brother, she’s quieter.

跟gēn去年qùnián營業額yíngyèé相比xiāngbǐ， 今年jīnnián實在shízài太tài慘cǎn了le跟gēn去年qùnián营业额yíngyèé相比xiāngbǐ， 今年jīnnián实在shízài太tài惨cǎn了le
Compared with last year’s sales, this year is really bad.

• Basic Comparisons (HSK 1)

• Comparisons in Chinese show the same (HSK 2)

• Comparisons in Chinese with 那麼么 nàme, 更 gèng, and 不如 bùrú (HSK 2)

• Comparisons in Chinese with a verb (HSK 3)

• Advanced Comparisons 2 與其与其 yǔqí…寧可宁可 níngkěnìngkě… (HSK 7-9)