Chinese (Mandarin)/Grammar/Comparisons

Simple comparisons

The primary word used for a comparison of two things (bigger, older, etc.) is 比 (bǐ). A simple comparison is constructed as X 比 Y SV.

他比小明高。

Ta bi Xiao Ming gao.

He is taller than Xiao Ming.

Taken literally, this means that he, when compared with Xiao Ming, is tall.

Negative comparisons

A simple comparison can be negated by prepending 不 to 比:

他不比小明高。

Ta bu bi Xiao Ming gao.

He is not taller than Xiao Ming.