比 vs 更：Make Better Comparisons in Chinese (A2)

Ever wanted to say “This coffee is cheaper than that one” or “I like tea more”? In Chinese, two small words unlock clear comparisons: 比 (bǐ) and 更 (gèng). In this lesson, you’ll learn practical patterns, common adjectives, and polite ways to compare—plus quick exercises to test yourself.

Why comparisons matter

Comparisons help you make choices every day: prices, distances, preferences, weather, speed. With 比 and 更, you can express “A is more X than B” or “even more X.” We’ll keep it simple and useful for real situations.

Mandarin
深圳比北京热。
Shenzhen is hotter than Beijing.
比 bǐ
than; to compare
prep
她比我忙。
She is busier than me.
更 gèng
even more; more
adv
我更喜欢茶。
I like tea more.
便宜 piányi
cheap; inexpensive
adj
这杯咖啡很便宜。
This cup of coffee is cheap.
贵 guì
expensive
adj
那件衣服有点儿贵。
That piece of clothing is a bit expensive.

Quick practice: fill in 比

Use 比 to compare A and B.

深圳 北京 热。

这家餐厅 那家餐厅 便宜一点儿。

Talking about degree

You can add how big the difference is:

  • 一点儿: a little
  • 多了 / 得多: much; a lot
  • 更 + adjective: even more (see next section) Examples:
  • 这件T恤比那件便宜一点儿。This T-shirt is a little cheaper than that one.
  • 他比我高得多。He is much taller than me.
Mandarin
我的手机比你的便宜一点儿。
My phone is a little cheaper than yours.
🔠 Put the words in order

Put A first, then 比, then B, then adjective + degree word.

更: “even more / more”

更 is an adverb. Put it before an adjective or a verb to show “more” or “even more.” You can use 更 in two ways:

  1. Without naming the comparison: “even more” than before or than what we have in mind.
  • 这条路更快。This route is faster (than the other one we considered).
  • 我更喜欢茶。I like tea more (than something else).
  1. With 比 to strengthen the comparison:
  • A 比 B 更 + adjective
  • 北京比上海更冷。Beijing is even colder than Shanghai.
Mandarin
这家店更便宜，我们去那儿吧。
This store is cheaper; let’s go there.

我 喜欢咖啡。

Quick check: choose the best sentence

Pick the sentence that uses 比 or 更 correctly.

🧠 比 vs 更 basics

Negative comparisons: 没有

To say “A is not as X as B,” use:

  • A 没有 B + adjective Examples:
  • 今天没有昨天冷。Today is not as cold as yesterday.
  • 这条路没有那条路近。This road is not as close as that road. Note: Beginners usually avoid 不比. Use 没有 for clear, natural negatives.

今天 昨天 冷。

他比我很高。 → 他比我高。 Use degree words (一点儿/得多) instead of 很 in 比 sentences.

Mini dialogue: choosing a restaurant

Put the conversation in the correct order.

💬 Where should we eat?

Helpful vocabulary for comparisons

Common adjectives you’ll use a lot:

  • 大 / 小: big / small
  • 贵 / 便宜: expensive / cheap
  • 快 / 慢: fast / slow
  • 远 / 近: far / near
  • 高 / 低: tall/high / low
  • 热 / 冷: hot / cold Use them with 比, 更, 一点儿, 得多.
Mandarin
超市比便利店便宜得多。
Supermarkets are much cheaper than convenience stores.
Mandarin
我们坐地铁更快。
It’s faster if we take the subway.
比 compare 较 rather; comparatively

Culture note: staying polite

In Chinese, people often soften comparisons to be polite:

  • 这件衣服更合适。This one is more suitable.
  • 这条路更方便。This route is more convenient. Instead of saying something is “worse,” say the other option is “更合适 / 更方便 / 更好.” It sounds kinder.

Quick recap

  • 比: A 比 B + adj (+ 一点儿 / 得多 / 多了)
  • 更: 更 + adj/verb (“even more”); or A 比 B 更 + adj for emphasis
  • Negative: A 没有 B + adj (A is not as X as B) Practice often with everyday choices: prices, distance, speed, preferences.

Final practice

Try saying these out loud:

  • 我家离公司更近。
  • 这杯茶比那杯咖啡便宜一点儿。
  • 今天没有昨天热。
  • 我更喜欢坐地铁。