How to Say “Compared With” in Chinese (跟……比)
To lead with “compared with A,” Chinese fronts the frame 跟 + A + 比 (起来)，then comments on B: 跟北京比，这里的冬天不太冷 (“compared to Beijing, winters here aren’t too cold”). It also compares one thing across time (跟去年比，你进步了很多). 跟 swaps freely with 和, and 比 can take an optional 起来 (比起来). For a straight “A is taller than B,” use plain 比 instead.
Why this trips learners up
Chinese has two ways to compare, and they feel different. For a blunt “A is taller than B” you reach for plain 比 (A 比 B 高). But how to say “compared with” in Chinese, when you want to lead with “compared to A, …”, uses a different frame: 跟 + A + 比 (起来)，B……. You front the whole “compared to A” phrase, drop a comma, then say what you think about B.
So 跟北京比，这里的冬天不太冷 is “compared to Beijing, the winters here aren’t too cold,” and 跟哥哥比，我更喜欢运动 is “compared to my brother, I like sports more.” The good news for English speakers: the word order matches, you front “compared with X” in both languages. The comment after the comma can be a whole clause, not just an adjective, which makes this more flexible than a bare 比 sentence.
The same frame compares one thing across time: 跟去年比，你的中文进步了很多 (“compared to last year, your Chinese has improved a lot”), 跟三个月前比，他流利多了 (“compared to three months ago, he’s much more fluent”). Here A is a time word instead of another person or thing.
Two small mechanics. First, 跟 and 和 are interchangeable here (跟 is a touch more common), so 和以前比 means the same as 跟以前比. Second, 比 can take an optional 起来 that attaches right to it, 比起来, giving 跟他比起来 a slightly softer, more reflective feel than 跟他比. Both are correct, and 起来 never floats off on its own (never 跟他起来比).
The structure
Colour key
Each colour marks one grammatical role — and the same colour means the same role on every page in the Lab.
Examples in context
Real-world sentences, easiest first. Toggle pinyin or the translation, tap any word to see its role, or play the audio.
Tap a word to see its grammatical role.
gēn 跟 Pattern Běijīng 北京 Object bǐ 比 Pattern zhèlǐ de dōngtiān 这里的冬天 Subject bù 不 Negation tài 太 Adverb lěng 冷 Adjective
Compared to Beijing, the winters here aren’t too cold. (跟 + A + 比, then the comment about B.)
gēn 跟 Pattern gēge 哥哥 Object bǐ 比 Pattern wǒ 我 Subject gèng 更 Adverb xǐhuan 喜欢 Verb yùndòng 运动 Object
Compared to my brother, I like sports more. (跟 + A + 比, with 更 in the comment.)
gēn 跟 Pattern zuò 坐 Verb fēijī 飞机 Object bǐ 比 Pattern zuò 坐 Verb gāotiě 高铁 Object gèng 更 Adverb fāngbiàn 方便 Adjective
Compared to flying, taking the high-speed rail is more convenient. (A can be a verb phrase: 跟坐飞机比.)
zhè jiā cāntīng 这家餐厅 Subject gēn 跟 Pattern nà jiā 那家 Object bǐ 比 Pattern qǐlái 起来 Function word wèidào 味道 Subject gèng 更 Adverb hǎo 好 Adjective
Compared to that one, this restaurant tastes better. (B fronted: 这家餐厅 + 跟 + A + 比起来.)
wǒ dìdi 我弟弟 Subject gēn 跟 Pattern wǒ 我 Object bǐ 比 Pattern qǐlái 起来 Function word gāo 高 Adjective le 了 Function word yìdiǎn 一点 Adverb
Compared to me, my younger brother is a bit taller. (B fronted + 比起来, with a small difference 高了一点.)
hé 和 Pattern yǐqián 以前 Time bǐ 比 Pattern xiànzài de shēnghuó 现在的生活 Subject fāngbiàn 方便 Adjective duō le 多了 Complement
Compared to before, life now is much more convenient. (和 in place of 跟; comparing across time.)
gēn 跟 Pattern sān ge yuè qián 三个月前 Time bǐ 比 Pattern tā de zhōngwén 他的中文 Subject liúlì 流利 Adjective duō le 多了 Complement
Compared to three months ago, his Chinese is much more fluent. (跟 + a time word + 比.)
gēn 跟 Pattern gāng kāishǐ xué de shíhou 刚开始学的时候 Time bǐ 比 Pattern qǐlái 起来 Function word wǒ 我 Subject xiànzài 现在 Time néng 能 Function word tīngdǒng 听懂 Verb hěn duō 很多 Object le 了 Function word
Compared to when I first started learning, I can understand a lot more now. (A is a whole clause + 比起来.)
Common mistakes
Why it happens: 跟…比 is a framing phrase, not a drop-in for 比. It sets up “compared to A,” then needs a comma and a comment about B: 跟他比，我更高. For a straight “I’m taller than him,” use the direct 比: 我比他高.
Why it happens: The frame needs 比 after A. Bare 跟去年 or 和去年 doesn’t mean “compared to last year”; you have to close the bracket with 比 (or 比起来): 跟去年比，你的中文进步了很多.
Why it happens: The optional 起来 attaches directly to 比 as one unit, 比起来: 跟他比起来. It never comes before 比, so 跟他起来比 is wrong. (And you can always just drop it: 跟他比 is fine too.)
Compare & contrast
| 跟 A 比起来 (framing) | A 比 B (direct) | The difference |
|---|---|---|
| 跟他比起来，我高一点。gēn tā bǐ qǐlái, wǒ gāo yìdiǎn. | 我比他高一点。wǒ bǐ tā gāo yìdiǎn. | 跟他比起来，我高一点 leads with “compared to him,” then comments (“I’m a bit taller”). 我比他高一点 states the same fact head-on (“I’m a bit taller than him”). Same comparison, one framed, one direct. |
| 跟去年比，今年暖和多了。gēn qùnián bǐ, jīnnián nuǎnhuo duō le. | 今年比去年暖和多了。jīnnián bǐ qùnián nuǎnhuo duō le. | 跟去年比，今年暖和多了 opens with “compared to last year.” 今年比去年暖和多了 says it straight (“this year is much warmer than last year”). Reach for the frame when you want to set the comparison up first. |
Try it yourself
Say “Compared to him, I’m taller.” Use 跟 + A + 比起来，then the comment: 跟他比起来，我更高。
Related patterns
Quick reference card
How to Say “Compared With” in Chinese (跟……比) grammar.merrymandarin.com A pocket summary — print it and keep it by your desk.