比

bǐ
HSK 2
#199 most
frequent character
"(particle used for comparison and ""-er than"")
verb
preposition

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

比 shows two spoons 匕 nested together, so it first meant 'to come very close'. 匕 also supplies the sound. From there came 'to compare, contrast' and 'proportion; ratio'. It is also read bì.

Drawn as: two spoons nested

比 as a component in other characters

meaning1 character
毖
sound19 characters
批毕屁毙庇毗琵砒蓖吡纰枇蚍妣秕貔
picture2 characters
篦坒

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Example Sentences

这本书比那本书便宜。
zhè běn shū bǐ nàběnshū piányí 。
This book is cheaper than that book.
他比我高。
tā bǐ wǒ gāo 。
He is taller than me.
这两种水果的味道比起来，苹果比较酸。
zhè liǎng zhǒng shuǐguǒ de wèidào bǐqǐlái ， píngguǒ bǐjiào suān 。
Comparing these two types of fruit, the apple is more sour.

Words with similar meanings

比较bǐjiào
to compare
More formal and often used in written contexts.
对比duìbǐ
to contrast
Focuses more on showing differences between items.

Words Starting With 比

比赛bǐ sài
"competition (sports etc); match
比较bǐ jiào
compare; contrast; fairly; comparatively; relatively; quite; rather
比例bǐ lì
proportion; scale
比如bǐ rú
for example; for instance; such as
比喻bǐ yù
metaphor; analogy; figure of speech; figuratively

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