How to use 比较
Subj. + 比较 + Adj.
比较 before an adjective can express a relative or moderate degree. English may use “rather,” “fairly,” or “comparatively,” depending on context. The sentence often relies on an understood standard rather than naming both sides of a formal comparison. The speaker evaluates where a quality stands against that background.
Some psychological or attitude verbs can also follow 比较 when the meaning allows a graded assessment. This use differs from 比较 as an action verb meaning to compare things. It also differs from an explicit 比 construction identifying one item as more or less than another. Do not assume an unstated comparison must always concern exactly two alternatives; the relevant standard can be broader and supplied by context.
Examples with pinyin and English
这个问题比较简单。
This question is quite easy.
我觉得这个价格比较贵。
I think this price is rather expensive.
我家离市中心比较近。
My place is relatively close to downtown.
大城市的工作压力比较大。
Jobs in big cities have quite a lot of pressure.
What to remember
- Place adverbial 比较 before the predicate.
- An implied standard can supply the comparison.
- Distinguish it from 比 and verbal 比较.
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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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