The Chinese word 比 (bǐ)

 The Chinese word 比 (bǐ) is primarily used for making comparisons, similar to the English word "than". However, it has other meanings as well, depending on the context. Here's a breakdown of its main uses:

1. Comparison (比...更/还...; 比...[adjective]...多了/一点儿):

This is the most common usage. The basic structure is:

A + 比 + B + Adjective (+ Complement)

• A 比 B + Adjective: This expresses that A is more [adjective] than B.

  • 他 比 我 高。(Tā bǐ wǒ gāo.) - He is taller than me.
  • 今天 比 昨天 冷。(Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān lěng.) - Today is colder than yesterday.

• A 比 B + 更/还 + Adjective: This expresses that A is even more [adjective] than B.

  • 这件衣服 比 那件 更 漂亮。(Zhè jiàn yīfu bǐ nà jiàn gèng piàoliang.) - This piece of clothing is even more beautiful than that one.
  • 他 比 你 还 努力。(Tā bǐ nǐ hái nǔlì.) - He is even more hardworking than you.

• A 比 B + Adjective + 多了/很多/一点儿/一些: These complements indicate the degree of difference.

  • 我的房间 比 他的 大 多了。(Wǒ de fángjiān bǐ tā de dà duō le.) - My room is much bigger than his.
  • 她 比 我 忙 一点儿。(Tā bǐ wǒ máng yīdiǎnr.) - She is a little busier than me.

• A 比 B + Verb + 得 + Adjective: This compares how well or to what extent two subjects perform an action.

  • 他 跑 比 我 跑 得 快。(Tā pǎo bǐ wǒ pǎo de kuài.) - He runs faster than me.
  • 他说汉语 说 比 我 说 得 流利。(Tā shuō Hànyǔ shuō bǐ wǒ shuō de liúlì.) - He speaks Chinese more fluently than me.

Important Notes for Comparisons with 比:

• You cannot directly use 很 (hěn - very) after 比. Instead of saying "他比我很忙" (Tā bǐ wǒ hěn máng - He is very busier than me), you should say "他比我忙得多" (Tā bǐ wǒ máng de duō - He is much busier than me) or "他比我更忙" (Tā bǐ wǒ gèng máng - He is even busier than me).
• To say "as...as", you use 跟 (gēn) ... 一样 (yīyàng) or 像 (xiàng) ... 一样 (yīyàng), not 比.
  • 他 跟 我 一样 高。(Tā gēn wǒ yīyàng gāo.) - He is as tall as me.
  • 这辆车 像 那辆车 一样 新。(Zhè liàng chē xiàng nà liàng chē yīyàng xīn.) - This car is as new as that car.
• To say "not as...as", you use 没有 (méiyǒu) ... 那么/这么 (nàme/zhème).
  • 我 没有 你 那么 聪明。(Wǒ méiyǒu nǐ nàme cōngmíng.) - I am not as smart as you.

2. Ratio (比):

比 can also mean "to" in ratios.

• 三 比 二 (sān bǐ èr) - three to two (3:2)
• 比例 (bǐlì) - proportion, ratio

3. To Compare, Compete (比):

As a verb, 比 can mean to compare or to compete.

• 比赛 (bǐsài) - competition, match
• 比一比 (bǐ yī bǐ) - to have a comparison, to compete briefly
  • 我们 比一比 谁跑得快。(Wǒmen bǐ yī bǐ shéi pǎo de kuài.) - Let's compete to see who runs faster.
• 对比 (duìbǐ) - to contrast, contrast

4. To Gesture (比划 - bǐhua):

比 can be part of the verb 比划, meaning to gesture.

• 她 连说带比划。(Tā lián shuō dài bǐhua.) - She gesticulates as she talks.

5. To Liken, Analogize (比如 - bǐrú, 比方 - bǐfang):

In these compound words, 比 means to liken or give an analogy.

• 比如 (bǐrú) - for example, for instance, such as
• 比方 (bǐfang) - for example, analogy

6. Close to, Next to (比邻 - bǐlín, 比肩继踵 - bǐjiānjìzhǒng):

In some idioms and compound words, 比 can mean close to or next to.

• 比邻 (bǐlín) - neighbor, neighboring
• 比肩继踵 (bǐjiānjìzhǒng) - shoulder to shoulder, in close succession (idiom)

In summary, the most crucial use of 比 is for making comparisons. Remember the specific sentence structure and the words you cannot use with 比 to avoid common mistakes. Pay attention to the context to understand its other meanings related to ratios, competition, gesturing, and proximity.