HSK 3
比较句4
bǐ jiào jù 4
Comparative sentence 4
Explanation
These are four advanced comparison sentence types using 比 (bǐ - than) to compare two objects A and B. 得 (de) here is a particle linking the verb to a complement (an element placed after the verb to add degree).
(1) A 比 (bǐ) B + verb + 得 (de) + adjective: comparing the degree of doing something (我比他跑得快 - I run faster than he does). (2) A 不比 (bù bǐ) B + adjective: negating the comparison, meaning A is not more than B, the two are equal or A is less (我姐姐不比我高 - my sister is not taller than me). (3) A + verb + 得 (de) + 比 (bǐ) + B + adjective: same meaning as (1) but with 比 placed after 得 (我跑得比他快). (4) A 比 (bǐ) B + 多/少/早/晚 (duō/shǎo/zǎo/wǎn) + verb + quantity phrase: stating clearly by HOW MUCH more/less (我比他多吃了五个饺子 - I ate five more dumplings than he did).
(1) and (3) to compare doing something better/worse; (2) to deny that one is more than the other; (4) to state the exact difference with a number.
不比 (bù bǐ) differs from 没有 (méiyǒu). 不比 B means "not more than B" (they may be equal); while A 没有 B + adjective means "A is not as much as B, A is less than B".
using 很 (hěn - very) or 非常 (fēicháng - extremely) in a 比 sentence (such as 比他很快 is WRONG); to emphasize you must use 得多 (de duō) or a specific quantity. In form (4), don't forget the quantity phrase after the verb.
Examples
(1) A 比 B + verb + 得 + adjective (A does something... more than B)
I run faster than he does.
I speak Chinese more fluently than my younger sister.
(2) A 不比 B + adjective (A is not more... than B in some respect)
My older sister is not taller than me.
This notebook is not bigger than that one.
(3) A + verb + 得 + 比 + B + adjective (A does something... more than B)
I run faster than he does.
My older sister speaks Chinese more fluently than me.
(4) A 比 B + 多/少/早/晚 + verb + quantity phrase (A does more/less/earlier/later than B by a specific amount)
I ate five more dumplings than he did.
He bought one fewer apple than I did.
I came back ten minutes earlier than my older sister.
My older brother went to bed half an hour later yesterday than the day before.
Practice
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Learn “比较句4” effectively
The grammar point “比较句4” (Comparative sentence 4) is one of the key structures at HSK 3. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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