How to use 比起；相比
比起 + B (+ 来)，A + comparison; 与 / 和 / 跟 + B + 相比，A + comparison
比起 introduces the person, thing, or situation used as a comparison point. The main statement then evaluates another item against that reference. Unlike a short 比 sentence, this framing readily introduces a broader judgment or preference, so the difference may concern cost, qualifications, or which option the speaker favors. The comparison point can also appear within the sentence.
来 may complete 比起来 without adding a separate movement meaning. A related structure uses 与, 和, or 跟 before the comparison point and 相比 after it. Keep the reference item and the item being evaluated clear, especially when the main clause leaves a repeated subject unspoken.
Examples with pinyin and English
比起上海，我老家的物价便宜多了。
Compared to Shanghai, the prices in my hometown are way cheaper.
比起你来，我还差得远呢。
Compared with you, I'm still far from it.
本科生比起博士生来，学位要低很多。
Compared with a doctoral student, an undergraduate student's degree is much lower.
与网络教学相比，我更喜欢面对面教学。
Compared with online teaching, I prefer face-to-face teaching.
What to remember
- Identify the reference item after 比起.
- Treat 来 as optional in the basic pattern.
- Use 与…相比 for a parallel formal framing.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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