Comparative Sentences (6) – 比较句 (6)

Comparative Sentences (6) – 比较句 (6)

1. 比起……（来），……

This structure is used to lead the second clause, indicating comparing with something or somebody. The compared thing or person is put after “比起”, and “来” can be omitted.

e.g.

比起老赵来，我差远了。(Bǐ qǐ lǎo zhào lái, wǒ chà yuǎn le.) Compared to Lao Zhao, I am far behind.

>> I am not as good as Lao Zhao.

 

比起之前，现在情况好多了。(Bǐ qǐ zhīqián, xiànzài qíngkuàng hǎo duō le.）It’s much better now than before.

>> Present situation is much better than before.

 

比起出太阳，我更喜欢下雨。(Bǐ qǐ chū tài yáng, wǒ gèng xǐhuan xià yǔ.) I prefer rain to the sun.

 

Note: The adverb “更” can be used in the second clause to indicate the degree increasing. Or used to indicate comparison.

2. A + Adjective + 于 + B

This structure is a comparative sentence but without the character “比”. The preposition “于” indicates comparison which is placed behind the adjectives. The adjectives used in this structure usually are qualitative adjectives which indicate degree, quantity, level, and so on. For example “大，小，高，低，多，少” etc.

e.g.

国家利益高于一切。(Guójiā lìyì gāo yú yīqiè.) National interests are above all else.

 

今年失业的人数多于去年的。(Jīnnián shīyè de rénshù duō yú qùnián de.) More people have lost their jobs this year than last year.

 

“一加一大于二”这个问题许多科学家都还在论证。(“Yī jiā yī dà yú èr” zhège wèntí xǔduō kēxuéjiā dōu hái zài lùnzhèng.) The question of “one plus one is greater than two” is still being debated by many scientists.

3. A + 比 + noun + 还 + noun

This structure is used to express some extreme emotions, like praising, swearing, complaining, etc. The adverb “还” indicates a deepened degree. The two nouns should be the same.

Note: Not all nouns can be used in this structure. Generally, the noun is the representative of typical figures that are known by most people, or it can be used to refer to a certain class of people or a kind of thing with typical characteristics. For example: “天才” means genius; “葛朗台” refers to stingy people, and ”强盗” means robber, etc.

e.g.

他那样的做法简直比流氓还流氓。(Tā nàyàng de zuòfǎ jiǎnzhí bǐ liúmáng hái liúmáng.) What he does is more rogue than hooligan.

>> The thing he did is worse than that rogue will do.

 

困扰我们那么多年的问题，今天一下就被你解决了。你真是比专家还专家。(Kùnrǎo wǒmen nàme duō nián de wèntí, jīntiān yī xià jiù bèi nǐ jiějué le. Nǐ zhēnshi bǐ   zhuānjiā hái zhuānjiā.) The problems that have plagued us for so many years finally have been solved by you today. You are more of an expert than an expert.

>> You are better than an expert.

 

小伙子，谢谢你把我妈送来医院，还帮她拿药缴费。你比雷锋还雷锋！(Xiǎohuǒzi, xièxiè nǐ bǎ wǒ mā sòng lái yīyuàn, hái bāng tā ná yào jiǎofèi. Nǐ bǐ léifēng hái léifēng!) Young man, thank you for taking my mother to the hospital and helping her get the medicine and pay for it. You are more Lei Feng than Lei Feng!

>> The young man is better than Lei Feng. (Lei Feng in China is a famous figure who represents the spirit of helping others unselfishly.)