比 meaning and stroke order
To compare; (followed by a noun and adjective) more {adj.} than {noun}; ratio
How to write 比, stroke by stroke
4 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Meaning of 比
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to compare
- (followed by a noun and adjective) more {adj.} than {noun}
- ratio
- to gesture
- (Taiwan pr. [bi4] in some compounds derived from Classical Chinese)
- euphemistic variant of 屄[bi1]
How 比 is built
Ideographic (compound meaning) character. Two spoons 匕 side-by-side; 匕 also provides the pronunciation.
How to remember 比
比 is two spoons 匕 (bǐ) placed side by side, as if you set them next to each other to see which is bigger. Putting two things side by side is exactly what comparing means, and 匕 also gives the sound bǐ.
The most common use is the comparison pattern A 比 B + adjective, meaning A is more adjective than B. It also appears in many everyday words like 比赛 (bǐsài, match) and 比如 (bǐrú, for example). Example: 他比我高。(Tā bǐ wǒ gāo.) He is taller than me.
Common mistake: Learners often add 很 (hěn) in comparisons, saying 他比我很高, which is wrong. Use 他比我高 or 他比我高得多 (gāo de duō) instead. Also do not confuse 比 with 北 (běi, north), whose two halves face away from each other.
Common words with 比
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 比如 | bǐrú | for example; for instance; such as | HSK 2 |
| 比如说 | bǐrú shuō | for example | HSK 2 |
| 比赛 | bǐsài | competition (sports etc); match | HSK 3 |
| 比较 | bǐjiào | to compare; to contrast | HSK 3 |
| 相比 | xiāngbǐ | to compare | HSK 3 |
| 比例 | bǐlì | proportion; scale | HSK 3 |
| 对比 | duìbǐ | to contrast; contrast | HSK 4 |
| 比分 | bǐfēn | score (of a game or competition) | HSK 4 |
| 比方 | bǐfang | analogy; illustrative example; for instance | HSK 5 |
| 比重 | bǐzhòng | proportion; (physics) specific gravity | HSK 5 |
| 比起 | bǐqǐ | compared with | HSK 7-9 |
| 无比 | wúbǐ | incomparable; matchless | HSK 7-9 |
| 好比 | hǎobǐ | to be just like; can be compared to | HSK 7-9 |
| 比喻 | bǐyù | to compare; to liken to | HSK 7-9 |
比 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Characters that contain 比
Learning 比 makes these easier to recognize and write.
Questions about 比
How many strokes are in 比?
比 is written with 4 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 比 mean?
比 (bǐ) means to compare; (followed by a noun and adjective) more {adj.} than {noun}; ratio. A common word with it is 比如 (bǐrú), meaning "for example; for instance; such as".
How do you pronounce 比?
比 is pronounced bǐ, in the third tone (dipping).
Is 比 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 比 is part of the HSK 1 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 1.
How do I say A is not taller than B with 比?
Put 不 before 比: 他不比我高 (Tā bù bǐ wǒ gāo), meaning he is not taller than me, so we are about the same or he is shorter. To say clearly that A is less than B, use 没有: 他没有我高 (Tā méiyǒu wǒ gāo).
How is 比 used for scores and ratios?
比 can mean 'to' in a score or ratio. For example, 三比二 (sān bǐ èr) means 3 to 2, as in a game score or a 3:2 ratio. Related words include 比分 (bǐfēn, score) and 比例 (bǐlì, proportion).