When studying the Chinese language, it becomes essential to learn how to form comparative sentences. These sentences allow you to compare two or more things, highlighting their similarities, differences, or degrees of a specific quality. Similar to English, where words like “bigger,” “smaller,” “more,” or “less” are used for comparisons, Chinese has its own set of structures and words for this purpose. As a recent college graduate, understanding the fundamentals of comparative sentences in Chinese will enable you to express various comparisons effectively and enhance your language proficiency. Let’s explore this topic step by step:
Basic Comparative Structures
Chinese employs two primary comparative structures:
The “比 (bǐ)” Comparative Structure: This structure uses the character “比,” meaning “than,” to indicate that one thing is more or less than another. The basic format is “A 比 B + adjective.” For example:
他比我高。(Tā bǐ wǒ gāo.) – He is taller than me.
The “比较 (bǐ jiào)” Comparative Structure: This structure incorporates “比” and adds “较” to emphasize the comparison. It can be understood as the equivalent of “comparatively” or “relatively” in English. The format is “A 比较 + adjective + B.” For example:
这个苹果比较甜。(Zhè ge píngguǒ bǐ jiào tián.) – This apple is relatively sweeter.
Comparative Words
Besides the comparative structures, there are specific words commonly used in comparative sentences in Chinese:
更 (gèng): This word means “even more” and emphasizes a higher degree. It is typically placed before the adjective. For example:
这本书更有趣。(Zhè běn shū gèng yǒuqù.) – This book is even more interesting.
比 (bǐ): Apart from its role in comparative structures, “比” can also function alone to mean “compared to” or “than.” For example:
我比以前更有信心。(Wǒ bǐ yǐqián gèng yǒu xìnxīn.) – I have more confidence than before.
Irregular Comparisons
Similar to English, Chinese also has irregular comparisons for certain adjectives and adverbs. These irregularities require special attention as they deviate from the standard rules for forming comparative sentences. Here are some examples:
好 (hǎo – good): 比较好 (bǐ jiào hǎo) is used instead of the expected 比好 (bǐ hǎo) to mean “better.”
这个饭馆的菜比较好吃。(Zhè ge fànguǎn de cài bǐ jiào hǎo chī.) – The food in this restaurant is relatively better-tasting.
多 (duō – many/much): 较多 (jiào duō) is used instead of 比多 (bǐ duō) to mean “more.”
这家商店的选择较多。(Zhè jiā shāngdiàn de xuǎnzé jiào duō.) – This store has a relatively greater selection.
Superlative Sentences
Superlative sentences express the highest degree of a quality within a group. In Chinese, superlatives can be formed by using words like “最 (zuì)” or “最…的 (zuì…de).” Here are a few examples:
这是我最喜欢的电影。(Zhè shì wǒ zuì xǐhuān de diànyǐng.) – This is my favorite movie.
这是最好的礼物。(Zhè shì zuì hǎo de lǐwù.) – This is the best gift.
Conclusion
Comparative sentences play a crucial role in Chinese as they allow for the expression of comparisons and degrees of qualities. As a learner, familiarizing yourself with the basic comparative structures, key words, and irregularities will enable you to construct sentences comparing different things in Chinese. Remember to practice regularly and expand your vocabulary gradually to incorporate a broader range of comparative expressions. With time and dedication, you will develop proficiency in expressing comparisons in Chinese, enhancing your overall language skills.
Quick quiz
Exercise 1:
Choose the correct comparative structure for the given sentence:
他的书包我的重。 (Tā de shūbāo _ wǒ de zhòng.)
His backpack is heavier than mine.
a) 比 (bǐ)
b) 比较 (bǐ jiào)
Answer: a) 比 (bǐ)
Explanation: In this sentence, we are comparing the weight of two backpacks. The correct comparative structure to use is “比 (bǐ),” which means “than” in English.
Example sentence: 他的书包比我的重。(Tā de shūbāo bǐ wǒ de zhòng.) – His backpack is heavier than mine.
Exercise 2:
Choose the appropriate word to emphasize a higher degree in the given sentence:
这个电影好看。 (Zhè ge diànyǐng _ hǎokàn.)
This movie is even more interesting.
a) 比 (bǐ)
b) 更 (gèng)
Answer: b) 更 (gèng)
Explanation: In this sentence, we want to emphasize that the movie is “even more” interesting. The word “更 (gèng)” is used to express this higher degree.
Example sentence: 这个电影更好看。(Zhè ge diànyǐng gèng hǎokàn.) – This movie is even more interesting.
Exercise 3:
Identify the irregular comparison for the given sentence:
这个手机贵。 (Zhè ge shǒujī _ guì.)
This phone is more expensive.
a) 比较 (bǐ jiào)
b) 比 (bǐ)
Answer: a) 比较 (bǐ jiào)
Explanation: The word “比较 (bǐ jiào)” is used instead of the expected “比 (bǐ)” to form the comparative sentence for the adjective “贵 (guì),” which means “expensive.”
Example sentence: 这个手机比较贵。(Zhè ge shǒujī bǐ jiào guì.) – This phone is relatively more expensive.
Exercise 4:
Choose the correct superlative word for the given sentence:
这是好吃的饭馆。 (Zhè shì _ hǎo chī de fànguǎn.)
This is the best-tasting restaurant.
a) 最 (zuì)
b) 最…的 (zuì…de)
Answer: a) 最 (zuì)
Explanation: To express the superlative “best-tasting,” we use the word “最 (zuì)” before the adjective.
Example sentence: 这是最好吃的饭馆。(Zhè shì zuì hǎo chī de fànguǎn.) – This is the best-tasting restaurant.
Exercise 5:
Complete the sentence with the appropriate comparative structure:
这个城市的人口大。 (Zhè ge chéngshì de rénkǒu dà.)
The population of this city is relatively larger.
a) 比 (bǐ)
b) 比较 (bǐ jiào)
Answer: b) 比较 (bǐ jiào)
Explanation: In this sentence, we are comparing the population of two cities. To indicate that the population of this city is relatively larger, we use the comparative structure “比较(bǐ jiào).”
Example sentence: 这个城市的人口比较大。(Zhè ge chéngshì de rénkǒu bǐ jiào dà.) – The population of this city is relatively larger.
Exercise 6:
Choose the appropriate word to mean “compared to” or “than” in the given sentence:
我的成绩以前有所提高。 (Wǒ de chéngjì _ yǐqián yǒu suǒ tígāo.)
My grades have improved compared to before.
a) 比较 (bǐ jiào)
b) 比 (bǐ)
Answer: b) 比 (bǐ)
Explanation: In this sentence, we want to express that our grades have improved “compared to” or “than” before. The word “比 (bǐ)” is used to convey this meaning.
Example sentence: 我的成绩比以前有所提高。(Wǒ de chéngjì bǐ yǐqián yǒu suǒ tígāo.) – My grades have improved compared to before.
Exercise 7:
Identify the irregular comparison for the given sentence:
这本书有趣。 (Zhè běn shū yǒuqù.)
This book is more interesting.
a) 比较 (bǐ jiào)
b) 比 (bǐ)
Answer: a) 比较 (bǐ jiào)
Explanation: The phrase “比较 (bǐ jiào)” is used instead of the expected “比 (bǐ)” to form the comparative sentence for the adjective “有趣 (yǒuqù),” which means “interesting.”
Example sentence: 这本书比较有趣。(Zhè běn shū bǐ jiào yǒuqù.) – This book is relatively more interesting.
Exercise 8:
Choose the correct superlative word for the given sentence:
这是高的建筑物。 (Zhè shì _ gāo de jiànzhùwù.)
This is the tallest building.
a) 最 (zuì)
b) 最…的 (zuì…de)
Answer: b) 最…的 (zuì…de)
Explanation: To express the superlative “tallest,” we use the word “最…的 (zuì…de)” after the adjective.
Example sentence: 这是最高的建筑物。(Zhè shì zuì gāo de jiànzhùwù.) – This is the tallest building.
Exercise 9:
Complete the sentence with the appropriate comparative structure:
这个城市的气温低。 (Zhè ge chéngshì de qìwēn _ dī.)
The temperature of this city is lower than…
a) 比 (bǐ)
b) 比较 (bǐ jiào)
Answer: a) 比 (bǐ)
Explanation: In this sentence, we are comparing the temperature of this city to another reference point. The comparative structure “比 (bǐ)” is used to express this comparison.
Example sentence: 这个城市的气温比低。(Zhè ge chéngshì de qìwēn bǐ dī.) – The temperature of this city is lower than…
Exercise10:
Choose the appropriate word to emphasize a higher degree in the given sentence:
她的汉语流利。 (Tā de hànyǔ _ liúlì.)
Her Chinese is even more fluent.
a) 比 (bǐ)
b) 更 (gèng)
Answer: b) 更 (gèng)
Explanation: In this sentence, we want to emphasize that her Chinese is “even more” fluent. The word “更 (gèng)” is used to express this higher degree.
Example sentence: 她的汉语更流利。(Tā de hànyǔ gèng liúlì.) – Her Chinese is even more fluent.
Originally posted 2023-07-20 05:45:36.