B2 · Upper Intermediate Chapter 9

Making Comparisons and Simple Connections

5 Total Rules
52 examples
5 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Elevate your Chinese by mastering precise comparisons and fluid narrative connections.

  • Express immediate sequences and logical consequences.
  • Articulate nuanced comparisons between people and objects.
  • Add persuasive depth to your arguments with natural fillers.
Connect, compare, and communicate with newfound precision.

What You'll Learn

Ready for a major upgrade in your Chinese? If you're looking to move beyond simply getting your point across and start expressing yourself with precision and nuance, sounding more authentically native, then this chapter is designed for you! You'll dive deep into sophisticated comparisons. Master A 有 B Adj to express equality, like

This book is as good as that one.
When something's not quite up to par or you want to suggest an alternative, «不如 (bùrú)» empowers you to voice true feelings and preferences. Next, we transition into connecting events. No more bland and then! «一...就... (yī... jiù...)» links actions where the second happens instantly after the first – e.g.,
As soon as I saw him, he laughed.
For intricate narratives, where one event naturally follows another, «于是 (yúshì)» means and thereupon or consequently. It's the magical glue that makes your stories flow effortlessly. Finally, to give your arguments real weight, master «再说 (zàishuō).» This versatile phrase is perfect for adding a killer final reason or for politely postponing a decision. By the end, you'll confidently compare, narrate engaging stories, and articulate reasons with conviction. You won't just be speaking Chinese; you'll be using it like a seasoned speaker. Ready for this significant leap?

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Use '一...就...' to describe instant reactions in a story.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Compare items using '不如' and '有' structures.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Ready for a major upgrade in your Chinese? If you're looking to move beyond simply getting your point across and start expressing yourself with precision and nuance, sounding more authentically native, then this chapter is designed for you! This B2 Chinese grammar guide will unlock sophisticated ways to compare, connect ideas, and articulate reasons, pushing your fluency to new heights.
Mastering these structures is crucial for any learner aiming for advanced proficiency. You'll move beyond basic sentence construction and learn to weave complex thoughts together seamlessly, making your conversations and writing much more engaging and natural. This context-rich approach to Chinese grammar will significantly enhance your ability to understand and participate in nuanced discussions.
By the end of this chapter, you'll confidently compare, narrate engaging stories, and articulate reasons with conviction. You won't just be speaking Chinese; you'll be using it like a seasoned speaker, demonstrating a deeper understanding of the language's subtleties. Get ready for a significant leap in your Chinese language learning journey!

How This Grammar Works

This chapter introduces five powerful Chinese grammar patterns that elevate your communication. First, for equative comparisons, we have A 有 B Adj (A is as [Adj] as B). This structure is perfect for stating equality, often implying a positive or neutral comparison, as in "他的中文有你那么好" (His Chinese is as good as yours). When something doesn't quite measure up or you want to suggest an alternative, 不如 (bùrú) is your go-to. It means 'not as good as' or 'would rather', allowing you to voice preferences, like "这个方案不如那个好" (This plan isn't as good as that one) or "我们不如明天再去吧" (How about we go tomorrow instead?).
Next, we dive into connecting events. To link actions where the second happens instantly after the first, use 一...就... (yī... jiù...). This translates to 'as soon as... then...' and conveys immediacy, for example, "我一回家就洗澡" (As soon as I get home, I take a shower). For intricate narratives where one event naturally follows another as a consequence, 于是 (yúshì) means 'and thereupon' or 'consequently'. It's the magical glue that makes your stories flow effortlessly, like "他病了，于是取消了会议" (He was sick, and thereupon cancelled the meeting). Finally, to give your arguments real weight or politely postpone a decision, master 再说 (zàishuō). This versatile phrase is perfect for adding a killer final reason or suggesting 'let's talk about it later', such as "我不喜欢这个颜色，再说，它也太贵了" (I don't like this color, besides, it's too expensive) or "先吃饭吧，工作的事再说" (Let's eat first, we can talk about work later).

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: "她有我漂亮。" (She is as pretty as me.)
✓ Correct: "她有我那么漂亮。" (She is as pretty as me.)
*Explanation:* When using A 有 B Adj for equative comparison, you almost always need 那么 (nàme) or 这么 (zhème) before the adjective to specify the degree of comparison. Omitting it sounds incomplete or grammatically awkward.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "我先去商店，于是回家了。" (First I went to the store, and thereupon went home.)
✓ Correct: "我先去商店，然后回家了。" (First I went to the store, then I went home.)
*Explanation:* 于是 (yúshì) implies a logical consequence or a cause-and-effect relationship, not just a simple chronological sequence. For a straightforward 'then' in a narrative, 然后 (ránhòu) is the correct choice.

Real Conversations

A

A

这家餐厅的菜味道怎么样？ (How's the food at this restaurant?)
B

B

嗯，我觉得它不如上次我们去的那家好吃。 (Hmm, I think it's not as good as the one we went to last time.)
A

A

你觉得学中文难吗？ (Do you think learning Chinese is hard?)
B

B

我觉得它有学法语那么难，甚至更难一些。 (I think it's as hard as learning French, maybe even a bit harder.)
A

A

你什么时候给我打电话？ (When will you call me?)
B

B

我一到家就给你打电话。 (As soon as I get home, I'll call you.)

Quick FAQ

Q

When should I use 不如 (bùrú) instead of 没有 (méiyǒu) for negative comparisons in Chinese grammar?

不如 (bùrú) implies 'not as good as' or 'inferior to', often with a subjective judgment or a suggestion for an alternative. 没有 (méiyǒu) simply states a lack of equality, meaning 'not as... as', and can be used for objective comparisons or to state that something doesn't reach a certain standard.

Q

Can 一...就... (yī... jiù...) be used for future events?

Yes, it's very common! It implies immediacy in the future, meaning 'as soon as [condition is met], then [action will happen]'. For example, "我一有钱就买房。" (As soon as I have money, I'll buy a house.)

Q

What's the difference between 于是 (yúshì) and 所以 (suǒyǐ)?

Both relate to consequences, but 于是 (yúshì) emphasizes sequential events where the second is a direct result or follow-up of the first, often in narrative. 所以 (suǒyǐ) is a more general 'therefore' or 'so', emphasizing a logical conclusion or reason. 于是 is more about *how* things happened, 所以 is more about *why* something is the case.

Q

Is 再说 (zàishuō) always about postponing, or can it add reasons?

It can do both! It means 'let's talk about it later' when used alone or at the end of a thought. When used to introduce a new clause, it means 'besides', 'furthermore', or 'what's more', adding an additional reason or point to an argument.

Cultural Context

These patterns are essential for sounding natural and nuanced in Chinese. 不如 (bùrú) is frequently used to politely express dissatisfaction or suggest a better alternative without being overly direct. 一...就... (yī... jiù...) is ubiquitous in daily conversation, making your speech flow with a sense of urgency or immediate connection. 于是 (yúshì), while more formal, is key for coherent storytelling in both spoken and written contexts. 再说 (zàishuō) is a highly versatile tool for soft refusals, postponing decisions, or strengthening arguments, reflecting a common Chinese communication style that values indirectness and thorough consideration.

Key Examples (8)

1

As soon as I get off the plane, I'll send you a WeChat message.

Assim que eu descer do avião, te mando uma mensagem no WeChat.

As Soon As... Then... (一...就...)
2

Whenever he drinks alcohol, his face turns red.

Sempre que ele bebe álcool, o rosto dele fica vermelho.

As Soon As... Then... (一...就...)
3

咖啡馆没位子了，于是我们去了隔壁的书店。

The cafe had no seats, so we went to the bookstore next door.

Connecting Actions with 于是 (yúshì)
4

这双鞋正在打折，于是我买了两双。

These shoes were on sale, so I bought two pairs.

Connecting Actions with 于是 (yúshì)
5

I don't want to cook today because I'm too tired, and besides, there's no food at home.

I don't want to cook today because I'm too tired, and besides, there's no food at home.

Adding Reasons with '再说' (zàishuō)
6

A: Do you think we can do this project? B: Hard to say, let's talk about it later.

A: Do you think we can do this project? B: Hard to say, let's talk about it later.

Adding Reasons with '再说' (zàishuō)
7

这台电脑不如那台。

This computer is not as good as that one.

Chinese Comparisons: Using 不如 (bùrú) for 'Not As Good As'
8

与其发短信，不如打视频。

Rather than texting, it's better to make a video call.

Chinese Comparisons: Using 不如 (bùrú) for 'Not As Good As'

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

Subject Placement

If the subject is the same, put it at the very beginning. If different, put the first subject before '一' and the second before '就'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: As Soon As... Then... (一...就...)
⚠️

The Future Trap

Don't use 于是 for future plans. Reach for 所以 or 那么 instead.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Connecting Actions with 于是 (yúshì)
💡

Use it for excuses

It's the perfect tool for making polite excuses.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Adding Reasons with '再说' (zàishuō)
💡

Avoid Intensifiers

Never use '很' or '非常' with {不如|bùrú} comparisons.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Chinese Comparisons: Using 不如 (bùrú) for 'Not As Good As'

Key Vocabulary (5)

不如 (bùrú) not as good as 于是 (yúshì) consequently 再说 (zàishuō) furthermore/also 程度 (chéngdù) degree/level 建议 (jiànyì) suggestion

Real-World Preview

shopping-bag

Shopping for a Gift

Review Summary

  • 一 + Subject + Verb, Subject + 就 + Verb
  • Event A, 于是 + Result
  • Statement 1, 再说 + Statement 2
  • A 不如 B (Adj)
  • A 有 B + (那么) + Adj

Common Mistakes

You cannot mix '一...就...' with '于是'. '一...就...' is for immediate timing, while '于是' is for logical sequence.

Wrong: 我一到家于是学习 (I arrived home and consequently studied).
Correct: 我一到家就学习 (As soon as I arrived home, I studied).

Questions about equality use '有' rather than '不如'.

Wrong: 这个不如那个好吗？(Is this not as good as that?)
Correct: 这个有那个好吗？(Is this as good as that?)

Always treat '再说' as a sentence-initial connector followed by a comma.

Wrong: 再说我累了。(Furthermore I am tired.)
Correct: 再说，我累了。(Furthermore, I am tired.)

Next Steps

You've made a huge leap today! Keep practicing these structures in your daily conversations, and you'll soon find yourself thinking in Chinese effortlessly.

Journaling about your day using all 5 structures

Continue to: Building Logical Arguments

Quick Practice (10)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Subject must precede '一'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: As Soon As... Then... (一...就...)

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

再说，我不想去。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我不想去，再说，我没空。
Needs two clauses.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Adding Reasons with '再说' (zàishuō)

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

这不如那很贵。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 这不如那贵
Remove '很'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Chinese Comparisons: Using 不如 (bùrú) for 'Not As Good As'

Choose the best connector.

他很聪明，___他很帅。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 而且
These are facts, not reasons for a decision.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Adding Reasons with '再说' (zàishuō)

Fill in the blank.

这件衣服 ___ 那件好看。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 不如
Used for comparison.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Chinese Comparisons: Using 不如 (bùrú) for 'Not As Good As'

Fill in the blank.

他 ___ 我高。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 有
Use '有' for equality.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Equative Comparison: Is A as [Adj] as B? (A 有 B Adj)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他不如我好
No intensifiers.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Chinese Comparisons: Using 不如 (bùrú) for 'Not As Good As'

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

于是他很累，他睡觉了。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他很累，于是他睡觉了。
Connector position.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Connecting Actions with 于是 (yúshì)

Which is correct?

___ 他很聪明，所以考了第一。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 因为
Logical cause.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Connecting Actions with 于是 (yúshì)

Fill in the blank.

会议取消了，___ 我们提前下班。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 于是
Resulting action.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Connecting Actions with 于是 (yúshì)

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

Yes, it is very common for future plans, e.g., '我一到就给你打电话'.
Usually yes, but it can be omitted if the context is clear.
No, it is for statements.
It is neutral and used in both speech and writing.
Usually no. It needs a preceding clause to add to.
No, it is quite informal.
Previous Chapter
Expressing Necessity and Courage
Next Chapter
Building Logical Arguments
Back to Roadmap