較 meaning and stroke order
To compare; relatively; more
How to write 較, stroke by stroke
13 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 較
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- (bound form) to compare
- (literary) to dispute
- compared to
- (before an adjective) relatively; comparatively; rather
- also pr. [jiao3]
How 較 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Cart.
車 gives the meaning and 交 hints at the sound.
Radical: 車 (cart), shared by 49 characters on this site.
How to remember 較
較 is a pictophonetic character: 車 (chē, cart) gives the meaning area and 交 (jiāo) gives the sound. Picture two carts side by side, crossing (交) paths, so you can compare which one is bigger.
較 is mostly a bound form in words like 比較 (bǐjiào, to compare) and 計較 (jìjiào, to fuss over). On its own before an adjective it means "relatively" and sounds more formal than 比較. Example: 今天較冷。(Jīntiān jiào lěng.) It is rather cold today.
Common mistake: Learners often write 校 (xiào, school) or 效 (xiào, effect) instead, since all three share 交. Remember that 較 has 車 on the left because it is about comparing things like carts. Also note the tone is fourth tone jiào, not first tone like 交 (jiāo).
Common words with 較
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
Questions about 較
How many strokes are in 較?
較 is written with 13 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 較 mean?
較 (jiào) means to compare; relatively; more. A common word with it is 比较 (bǐjiào), meaning "to compare; to contrast".
How do you pronounce 較?
較 is pronounced jiào, in the fourth tone (falling).
What is the radical of 較?
The radical of 較 is 車, which carries the idea of "cart". Dictionaries list 較 under this radical.
What is the simplified form of 較?
較 is a traditional character. Its simplified form is 较, used in mainland China and Singapore.
What is the difference between 較 and 比較 when meaning "relatively"?
Both can go before an adjective to mean "relatively" or "rather." 比較 is the everyday spoken choice, as in 比較好 (bǐjiào hǎo). 較 alone is more written and formal, common in news and reports, as in 較高 (jiào gāo).
Can 較 be used to compare two things like 比?
Yes, in formal writing 較 can mean "compared to," for example 今年較去年增長 (jīnnián jiào qùnián zēngzhǎng), this year grew compared to last year. In casual speech people use 比 (bǐ) instead.