Comparison with 比: A比B + adj/更/还
At HSK 2, A 比 B + adjective gains 更 (gèng) or 还 (hái) before the adjective, to say A is even more so, as in 他比我更高. 很 cannot go there, since 比 sentences reject 很.
他比我更高。(He's even taller than me — states a clear fact.)
今天比昨天还冷。(Today is even colder than yesterday — often implies surprise/contrast: it was already cold!)
更 and 还 are similar but 还 often carries a stronger sense of 'and yet more so', especially when the baseline (B) already has some degree of the quality.
Never combine with 很: ❌ 他比我很高。✅ 他比我更高。
Worked examples
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| 他比我更高。 | Tā bǐ wǒ gèng gāo. | He's even taller than me. | Minimal frame, adds 更 to the known 比 pattern. |
| 这个问题比那个更难。 | Zhège wèntí bǐ nàge gèng nán. | This problem is even harder than that one. | Same 更 pattern with an abstract noun subject. |
| 我姐姐已经很漂亮了，可是我妹妹比她还漂亮。 | Wǒ jiějie yǐjīng hěn piàoliang le, kěshì wǒ mèimei bǐ tā hái piàoliang. | My older sister is already pretty, but my younger sister is even prettier than her. | 还 emphasizes a surprising extra degree, since B already has the quality. |
Word by word
Each word in this pattern on its own: what it does here, the structure, three more examples, and the mistake to avoid.
比 (bǐ)
Sets two things side by side and says the first has more of the quality.
Structure: A + 比 + B + adj
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 坐地铁比坐公共汽车快。 | Zuò dì tiě bǐ zuò gōng gòng qì chē kuài. | Taking the metro is faster than taking the bus. |
| 这家饭馆比那家便宜。 | Zhè jiā fàn guǎn bǐ nà jiā pián yi. | This restaurant is cheaper than that one. |
| 我弟弟比我高。 | Wǒ dì di bǐ wǒ gāo. | My younger brother is taller than me. |
Not: 我比他不高。 To negate, use 没有 instead of 比: 我没有他高.
In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 2, prepositions (引出对象).
比 is also explained in: Comparison Sentences with 比 and 没有 (HSK 1) · Extended Comparison Patterns: A比B V得Adj (HSK 3) · 比 extended: degree & verb phrases (HSK 4).
更 (gèng)
Adds 'even more' in front of the adjective after 比.
Structure: A + 比 + B + 更 + adj
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 我想买一个更大的书包。 | Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yí gè gèng dà de shū bāo. | I want to buy a bigger school bag. |
| 他比我更喜欢游泳。 | Tā bǐ wǒ gèng xǐ huan yóu yǒng. | He likes swimming even more than I do. |
| 北京的冬天比上海的更冷。 | Běi jīng de dōng tiān bǐ shàng hǎi de gèng lěng. | Winter in Beijing is even colder than in Shanghai. |
Not: 他比我很高。 Never put 很 after 比; use 更 or 还 instead.
In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 3, adverbs (程度副词).
还 (hái)
Adds 'even more' with a feeling of surprise, because B already has the quality.
Structure: A + 比 + B + 还 + adj
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 今天比昨天还热。 | Jīn tiān bǐ zuó tiān hái rè. | Today is even hotter than yesterday. |
| 这本书比那本还厚。 | Zhè běn shū bǐ nà běn hái hòu. | This book is even thicker than that one. |
| 他比老师还忙。 | Tā bǐ lǎo shī hái máng. | He is even busier than the teacher. |
Not: 弟弟比我还很高。 Do not add 很 after 还 either, because 还 already carries the degree.
In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 1, adverbs (关联副词); level 2, adverbs (时间副词); level 3, adverbs (程度副词); level 4, adverbs (语气副词); level 4, complex sentences (递进复句); level 5, complex sentences (递进复句).
还 is also explained in: Time Adverbs: 刚、还、忽然、一直、已经 (HSK 2).
Compared side by side: 更 vs 还.
What you need first
Every topic in GraphChinese names its own prerequisites, and these are the grammar points this one is built on. If a sentence here will not parse, one of them is why.
What this opens up
These patterns list Comparison with 比 among their own prerequisites, so they become readable once this one holds.
Questions about Comparison with 比
What does 比较句 (Comparison with 比) mean in Chinese?
At HSK 2, A 比 B + adjective gains 更 (gèng) or 还 (hái) before the adjective, to say A is even more so, as in 他比我更高. 很 cannot go there, since 比 sentences reject 很. It is an HSK 2 grammar point.
How do you use 比较句 (Comparison with 比) in a sentence?
他比我更高。 — Tā bǐ wǒ gèng gāo. — He's even taller than me. Minimal frame, adds 更 to the known 比 pattern.
What do you need to know before 比较句 (Comparison with 比)?
Comparison Sentences with 比 and 没有 (HSK 1). This pattern is built out of them, so a sentence here that will not parse usually means one of them has not landed yet.
What does 比较句 (Comparison with 比) lead to?
Comparison with 跟 (HSK 2), Extended Comparison Patterns (HSK 3). Each of them names 比较句 (Comparison with 比) among its own prerequisites.
Can I use 很 with 比?
No. A 比 sentence takes a bare adjective, or 更 or 还 for 'even more'. Say 他比我高 or 他比我更高, never 他比我很高。
What is the difference between 更 and 还 after 比?
更 states a plain fact about more of the quality. 还 often hints surprise, as in 今天比昨天还冷, where yesterday was already cold.
Comparison with 比 is one topic of 829. GraphChinese teaches them in prerequisite order, so this pattern reaches you on the day everything it rests on is proven. The whole course, HSK 0 through HSK 6, is $49 once for lifetime access.
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