Home
Learn
Chinese
Grammar
Making Comparisons
Verb Comparisons: Doing it better than you ({比|bǐ} + {得|de})

1 Comparing Sameness in Chinese: As... As (跟...一样) 2 Saying Things Are Different: 跟...不一样 (Not the Same As) 3 Verb Comparisons: Doing it better than you ({比|bǐ} + {得|de}) 4 Expressing Change: 'More and More' with `越来越` (yuèláiyuè) 5 Chinese Comparisons: 'Almost the Same' with 差不多 (chàbuduō)

Back to Chapter

B1 Comparisons 20 min read Medium

Verb Comparisons: Doing it better than you ({比|bǐ} + {得|de})

When comparing *how* an action is done, you must use the particle {得|de} after the verb.

Mark as Learned

Practice it

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use {比|bǐ} + {得|de} to compare how well someone performs an action compared to another person.

Structure: Subject A + Verb + {得|de} + {比|bǐ} + Subject B + Adjective.
Example: {他|tā}{跑|pǎo}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{我|wǒ}{快|kuài} (He runs faster than me).
Negative: Use {不|bù} before the adjective: {他|tā}{跑|pǎo}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{我|wǒ}{不|bù}{快|kuài}.

Subject A + Verb + 得 + 比 + Subject B + Adjective

Overview

Comparing two nouns is often one of the first grammatical structures you learn in Chinese. With 比 (bǐ), you can easily state that one person or object possesses a quality to a greater or lesser degree than another. For instance, 我比他高 (wǒ bǐ tā gāo) directly means "I am taller than him." However, real-world communication frequently requires a more dynamic comparison: evaluating the manner, speed, quality, or extent to which actions are performed.

You aren't just comparing static attributes; you're assessing how an action is executed relative to another instance of that same action.

This is precisely where the structural particle 得 (de) becomes indispensable. In Chinese, 得 (de) functions as a grammatical bridge, linking a verb to a complement that describes the degree, result, or manner of the verb's action. When 比 (bǐ) is combined with this 得 (de) construction, you unlock the ability to express nuanced comparisons such as "He runs faster than me" or "She sings better than him." This structure allows you to move beyond simple factual statements to articulate detailed observations and opinions, crucial for achieving B1 proficiency and engaging in more sophisticated conversations in Chinese.

How This Grammar Works

This grammatical pattern integrates the comparative function of 比 (bǐ) with the descriptive power of 得 (de). To grasp its workings, first understand 得 (de). This particle is always placed directly after a verb to introduce a complement of degree (程度补语, chéngdù bǔyǔ) or a complement of result (结果补语, jiéguǒ bǔyǔ).

Its fundamental role is to describe how an action is performed or what the outcome of that action is.

For example, 跑得快 (pǎo de kuài) directly translates to "runs quickly" or "runs to a fast degree," while 吃得饱 (chī de bǎo) means "eats till full." The adjective or adverbial phrase that follows 得 (de) always provides specific details about the verb's execution. When you introduce 比 (bǐ) into this construct, you are not comparing the two subjects themselves in terms of their static attributes. Instead, you are comparing the degree or manner of their respective actions.

The 比 (bǐ) phrase establishes the reference point for this comparison of action. Consider the sentence 他比我跑得快 (tā bǐ wǒ pǎo de kuài), which means "He runs faster than me." Here, 跑得快 (pǎo de kuài) describes the manner of running, and the 比 (bǐ) phrase 比我 (bǐ wǒ) clarifies that his manner of running (fastness) exceeds mine. The underlying linguistic principle is that 得 (de) creates a coherent descriptive verbal phrase, and 比 (bǐ) subsequently operates on this entire phrase to establish a precise comparison.

A key structural challenge arises when the verb you wish to describe takes a direct object (V-O). In Chinese grammar, a verb and its object form a tightly bound semantic unit. The particle 得 (de) cannot directly separate this V-O unit from the verb it describes.

For instance, 他看书看得认真 (tā kàn shū kàn de rènzhēn) ("He reads books seriously") is correct, but 他看书得认真 would be ungrammatical because the object 书 (shū) breaks the direct connection between 看 (kàn) and 得 (de). To correctly handle comparisons involving V-O structures, Chinese employs two primary strategies:

1Verb Copying (动词重叠, dòngcí chóngdié): This involves repeating the verb. The first instance of the verb takes the object, forming the V-O unit. The second instance of the verb then directly precedes 得 (de) and its complement. For example, to compare how two individuals speak Chinese, you'd say 他中文说得比我好 (tā zhōngwén shuō de bǐ wǒ hǎo). Here, 说 (shuō) is repeated; the first 说 (shuō) takes 中文 (zhōngwén) as its object, and the second 说 (shuō) connects to 得 (de). This ensures 得 (de) always maintains direct adjacency to a verb.
2Pre-verbal 比 (bǐ) Placement: The alternative strategy is to position the entire 比 (bǐ) comparative phrase before the main verb and its object. This structural shift allows 得 (de) to directly follow the single instance of the verb, effectively resolving the V-O conflict without verb repetition. For example, 他比我中文说得好 (tā bǐ wǒ zhōngwén shuō de hǎo). By placing 比我 (bǐ wǒ) before 中文说得好, the V-O unit (说中文) is structurally managed, and 得 (de) still directly follows the verb 说 (shuō) to describe the manner of speaking. Understanding these two distinct but equally valid mechanisms is crucial for constructing grammatically sound comparative sentences with 得 (de) when a verb governs an object.

Formation Pattern

To correctly construct 比 (bǐ) + 得 (de) comparisons, you must understand the specific formation patterns. Your choice of structure will largely depend on whether the verb you're describing takes a direct object.

1. Basic Structure: Verb Without an Object

This is the simplest pattern and applies when the action verb does not have an explicit direct object. The 比 (bǐ) phrase clearly states the reference point for the comparison of the action's manner or degree.

| :---------- | :-------- | :------------- | :----- | :-------- | :------------------------- |

| 他 (tā) | 比 (bǐ) | 我 (wǒ) | 跑 (pǎo) | 得 (de) | 快 (kuài) (faster) |

| 她 (tā) | 比 (bǐ) | 你 (nǐ) | 来 (lái) | 得 (de) | 早 (zǎo) (earlier) |

Example 1: 他比我跑得快。 (Tā bǐ wǒ pǎo de kuài.) – He runs faster than me.

Example 2: 她比你来得早。 (Tā bǐ nǐ lái de zǎo.) – She arrived earlier than you.

Example 3: 这辆车开得比那辆稳。 (Zhè liàng chē kāi de bǐ nà liàng wěn.) – This car drives more steadily than that one. (Here, 开 (kāi) is used without an explicit object, referring to the general act of driving).

2. Structure with Object: Verb Copying

When the verb takes a direct object, you must repeat the verb. The first instance of the verb takes the object, creating the V-O unit, and the repeated verb then directly links to 得 (de) to describe the action. This structure ensures 得 (de) is never separated from a verb by an object.

| :-------- | :----- | :--------- | :-------------- | :-------- | :-------- | :------------- | :------------------------- |

| 他 (tā) | 说 (shuō) | 中文 (zhōngwén) | 说 (shuō) | 得 (de) | 比 (bǐ) | 我 (wǒ) | 好 (hǎo) (better) |

| 我 (wǒ) | 做 (zuò) | 饭 (fàn) | 做 (zuò) | 得 (de) | 比 (bǐ) | 你 (nǐ) | 香 (xiāng) (more deliciously) |

| 她 (tā) | 写 (xiě) | 字 (zì) | 写 (xiě) | 得 (de) | 比 (bǐ) | 我 (wǒ) | 漂亮 (piàoliang) (more beautifully) |

Example 1: 他中文说得比我好。 (Tā zhōngwén shuō de bǐ wǒ hǎo.) – He speaks Chinese better than me. (Note: The object 中文 can also be fronted before the first verb, or even before the subject for emphasis, e.g., 中文他说得比我好.)

Example 2: 我做饭做得比你香。 (Wǒ zuò fàn zuò de bǐ nǐ xiāng.) – I cook (meals) more deliciously than you.

Example 3: 她写字写得比我漂亮。 (Tā xiě zì xiě de bǐ wǒ piàoliang.) – She writes characters more beautifully than me.

3. Structure with Object: Pre-verbal 比 (bǐ)

As an alternative to verb copying, you can place the entire 比 (bǐ) comparative phrase before the main verb that takes an object. This structure avoids verb repetition and still allows 得 (de) to directly follow the verb.

| :-------- | :-------- | :------------- | :----- | :--------- | :-------- | :------------------------- |

| 他 (tā) | 比 (bǐ) | 我 (wǒ) | 说 (shuō) | 中文 (zhōngwén) | 得 (de) | 好 (hǎo) (better) |

| 我 (wǒ) | 比 (bǐ) | 你 (nǐ) | 做 (zuò) | 饭 (fàn) | 得 (de) | 香 (xiāng) (more deliciously) |

| 她 (tā) | 比 (bǐ) | 我 (wǒ) | 写 (xiě) | 字 (zì) | 得 (de) | 漂亮 (piàoliang) (more beautifully) |

Example 1: 他比我中文说得好。 (Tā bǐ wǒ zhōngwén shuō de hǎo.) – He speaks Chinese better than me.

Example 2: 我比你做饭做得香。 (Wǒ bǐ nǐ zuò fàn zuò de xiāng.) – I cook (meals) more deliciously than you.

Example 3: 她比我写字写得漂亮。 (Tā bǐ wǒ xiě zì xiě de piàoliang.) – She writes characters more beautifully than me.

Both verb-copying and pre-verbal 比 (bǐ) structures are grammatically sound when dealing with verbs that take objects. The choice often comes down to desired emphasis or rhythmic preference. Verb copying can sometimes emphasize the action-object unit, while the pre-verbal 比 (bǐ) structure might feel slightly more concise or formal to some speakers. Both are widely used in contemporary Chinese.

4. Quantifying the Difference

You can specify the magnitude of the difference between actions by adding quantifying phrases at the very end of the sentence, immediately following the adjective or adverbial phrase.

| Phrase | Meaning | Example (and Translation) |

| :----------------- | :------------------------------------ | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |

| 一点儿 (yīdiǎnr) | a little bit | 他比我跑得快一点儿。 (Tā bǐ wǒ pǎo de kuài yīdiǎnr.) – He runs a little faster than me. |

| 一些 (yīxiē) | some (a bit more) | 她比我学得快一些。 (Tā bǐ wǒ xué de kuài yīxiē.) – She learns a bit faster than me. |

| 得多 (de duō) | much more | 他比我跑得快得多。 (Tā bǐ wǒ pǎo de kuài de duō.) – He runs much faster than me. |

| 多了 (duō le) | much more (often more casual) | 我比你吃得多多了。 (Wǒ bǐ nǐ chī de duō duō le.) – I eat a lot more than you. |

| Adj. + 倍 (bèi) | N times (N times the adjective degree) | 他比我跑得快一倍。 (Tā bǐ wǒ pǎo de kuài yī bèi.) – He runs twice as fast as me. (Literally: "one time faster." Used for measurable differences.) |

5. Negative Comparisons

To express that one person does not perform an action as well as another, you must use 没 (méi) or 没有 (méiyǒu). It is crucial to remember that you will generally not use 不 (bù) for these types of action comparisons with 比 (bǐ). 没有 (méiyǒu) functions similarly to "not as... as" or "doesn't... as well as" in English, indicating a lack of equivalence in performance.

| :-------- | :------------ | :------------- | :----- | :-------- | :------------------------- |

| 我 (wǒ) | 没有 (méiyǒu) | 他 (tā) | 跑 (pǎo) | 得 (de) | 快 (kuài) (as fast) |

Example 1: 我没有他跑得快。 (Wǒ méiyǒu tā pǎo de kuài.) – I don't run as fast as him.

Example 2: 我没有你做饭做得香。 (Wǒ méiyǒu nǐ zuò fàn zuò de xiāng.) – I don't cook (meals) as deliciously as you.

Example 3: 她没有我学得认真。 (Tā méiyǒu wǒ xué de rènzhēn.) – She doesn't study as diligently as I do. (Here, 学 (xué) is used without an explicit object, referring to the act of studying).

When To Use It

This grammar structure is essential in any situation requiring an evaluation of the quality, speed, skill, or manner of an action, rather than a mere comparison of two entities. It provides a framework for making highly nuanced judgments about how something is done. You'll encounter it frequently in daily conversations, academic discussions, performance reviews, and even casual observations, allowing you to articulate complex thoughts effectively.

Evaluating Performance and Skill: This is the most common application. Whether you're discussing athletic prowess, academic achievement, or professional competence, 比 (bǐ) + 得 (de) provides the precise language needed.
他今天打球打得比平时好。 (Tā jīntiān dǎ qiú dǎ de bǐ píngshí hǎo.) – He played basketball better today than usual.
我英语说得比去年流利多了。 (Wǒ Yīngyǔ shuō de bǐ qùnián liúlì duō le.) – My English speaking is much more fluent than last year. (Comparing your current self to your past self).
Comparing Habits and Efficiency: Use this structure to highlight differences in personal habits, work efficiency, or the general speed of an action. It's excellent for everyday observations.
小王总是比我写报告写得快。 (Xiǎo Wáng zǒng shì bǐ wǒ xiě bàogào xiě de kuài.) – Xiao Wang always writes reports faster than me. (A common workplace observation).
你睡得比我晚，身体会吃不消的。 (Nǐ shuì de bǐ wǒ wǎn, shēntǐ huì chī bù xiāo de.) – You sleep later than me; your body won't be able to handle it. (Often used with a tone of concern or warning).
Assessing Quality of Action: Beyond measurable aspects like speed, this structure allows for subjective qualitative judgments, particularly relevant in fields like cooking, art, or performance.
这位厨师做菜做得比那位好吃。 (Zhè wèi chúshī zuò cài zuò de bǐ nà wèi hǎochī.) – This chef cooks dishes more deliciously than that one.
她唱歌唱得比我动听。 (Tā chàng gē chàng de bǐ wǒ dòngtīng.) – She sings (songs) more beautifully/pleasingly than me.
Expressing Improvement or Decline: You can effectively compare someone's current performance against their past performance, or against an anticipated standard.
你最近学习比以前努力得多。 (Nǐ zuìjìn xuéxí bǐ yǐqián nǔlì de duō.) – You've been studying much harder lately than before.
他退步了，现在跑得没有以前快。 (Tā tuìbù le, xiànzài pǎo de méiyǒu yǐqián kuài.) – He has regressed; now he doesn't run as fast as before.

Cultural Nuance: While grammatically versatile, it's important to consider cultural context. Directly comparing individuals, especially in a way that highlights one person's superiority over another, can sometimes be seen as impolite in Chinese social interactions, particularly in formal settings or when addressing elders or superiors. Chinese culture often emphasizes harmony (和谐, héxié) and avoiding "losing face" (丢脸, diūliǎn).

When feasible, especially in formal conversations, you might consider framing comparisons more indirectly or focusing on personal improvement rather than direct competition. For instance, instead of 你学得比我快 (nǐ xué de bǐ wǒ kuài) ("You learn faster than me"), you could opt for 你进步得很快 (nǐ jìnbù de hěn kuài) ("You've improved very quickly"), which is less confrontational. However, among close friends or in casual settings, direct comparisons are common and acceptable.

Common Mistakes

Learners frequently encounter specific difficulties when mastering the 比 (bǐ) + 得 (de) structure. Understanding these common pitfalls and the grammatical reasons behind them is critical for accurate and natural Chinese expression.

1Omitting 得 (de): This is arguably the most frequent error. Many beginners, influenced by direct English translation, attempt structures like 他比我跑快 (Tā bǐ wǒ pǎo kuài). This is grammatically incorrect. The particle 得 (de) is indispensable because it serves as the grammatical bridge connecting the verb (跑, pǎo) to its descriptive complement (快, kuài). Without 得 (de), the adjective 快 (kuài) cannot properly describe the manner of the verb 跑 (pǎo). 得 (de) explicitly signals that the following word or phrase elaborates on the manner or result of the verb's action.

Incorrect: 他比我跑快。 (Tā bǐ wǒ pǎo kuài.)
Correct: 他比我跑得快。 (Tā bǐ wǒ pǎo de kuài.) – He runs faster than me.
Incorrect: 她比我唱歌好。 (Tā bǐ wǒ chànggē hǎo.)
Correct: 她唱歌唱得比我好。 (Tā chànggē chàng de bǐ wǒ hǎo.) – She sings better than me.

1Incorrect 比 (bǐ) Placement with an Object (Forgetting Verb Copying or Pre-verbal 比 (bǐ)): When a verb takes an object, placing 得 (de) directly after the V-O unit is ungrammatical because the object intervenes. For example, 他写字写得很慢 ("He writes characters slowly") is correct, but 他写字得很慢 is not. The object 字 (zì) separates 写 (xiě) from 得 (de). Attempting to form a comparison without applying either verb copying or pre-verbal 比 (bǐ) is a common source of error.

Incorrect: 他比我学中文得好。 (Tā bǐ wǒ xué zhōngwén de hǎo.) – Here, 比我 is awkwardly placed, and 得 is incorrectly separated from 学 by 中文.
Correct (Verb Copying): 他中文学得比我好。 (Tā zhōngwén xué de bǐ wǒ hǎo.) – He learns Chinese better than me.
Correct (Pre-verbal 比 (bǐ)): 他比我学中文学得好。 (Tā bǐ wǒ xué zhōngwén xué de hǎo.) – He learns Chinese better than me.

1Mixing 比 (bǐ) for Adjectives vs. Verbs: It is crucial to distinguish between comparing static qualities of nouns and comparing the manner of actions. These are distinct grammatical patterns.

Comparing Nouns (A vs. B with an adjective): 我比他高。 (Wǒ bǐ tā gāo.) – I am taller than him. (Here, 高 describes 我 and 他 directly.)
Comparing Actions (A's action vs. B's action): 我比他跑得快。 (Wǒ bǐ tā pǎo de kuài.) – I run faster than him. (Here, 快 describes the manner of 跑.)
Incorrect Mixing: 你比我写字漂亮。 (Nǐ bǐ wǒ xiě zì piàoliang.) – This attempts to use 漂亮 to describe 你 directly while also implying an action, creating an ungrammatical structure.
Correct: 你写字写得比我漂亮。 (Nǐ xiě zì xiě de bǐ wǒ piàoliang.) – You write characters more beautifully than me.

1Using Intensifiers like 很 (hěn) within the Comparison: You should avoid adverbs such as 很 (hěn) ("very"), 非常 (fēicháng) ("extremely"), or 真 (zhēn) ("really") directly before the adjective in a 比 (bǐ) + 得 (de) comparison. The 比 (bǐ) comparative structure inherently indicates a difference or degree, making these intensifiers redundant or grammatically incorrect in this position.

Incorrect: 他比我跑得很快。 (Tā bǐ wǒ pǎo de hěn kuài.)
Correct: 他比我跑得快。 (Tā bǐ wǒ pǎo de kuài.) – He runs faster than me.
To express a large difference: Use quantifiers like 得多 (de duō) or 多了 (duō le) at the end of the sentence. For instance, 他比我跑得快得多。 (Tā bǐ wǒ pǎo de kuài de duō.) – He runs much faster than me.

1Incorrect Negation with 不 (bù): For action comparisons using Verb + 得 (de) + Adj, the correct negation is 没 (méi) or 没有 (méiyǒu), not 不 (bù). 不 (bù) typically negates present or future actions or states, while 没有 (méiyǒu) is used for expressing that something "has not happened," "does not exist," or, in comparisons, "is not as... as" or "doesn't... as well as."

Incorrect: 我跑得不比他快。 (Wǒ pǎo de bù bǐ tā kuài.)
Correct: 我没有他跑得快。 (Wǒ méiyǒu tā pǎo de kuài.) – I don't run as fast as him.
Incorrect: 我唱歌唱得不比你好。 (Wǒ chànggē chàng de bù bǐ nǐ hǎo.)
Correct: 我唱歌唱得没有你好。 (Wǒ chànggē chàng de méiyǒu nǐ hǎo.) – I don't sing as well as you.

Common Collocations

Familiarizing yourself with common verb-adjective pairings, or collocations, within the 比 (bǐ) + 得 (de) structure will significantly enhance your fluency and make your Chinese sound more natural. These are the phrases that native speakers frequently use.

Common Verbs that frequently appear with 得 (de) complements:

说 (shuō) (to speak):
说得好 (shuō de hǎo) (speaks well)
说得流利 (shuō de liúlì) (speaks fluently)
他英语说得比我流利。 (Tā Yīngyǔ shuō de bǐ wǒ liúlì.) – He speaks English more fluently than me.
写 (xiě) (to write):
写得快 (xiě de kuài) (writes fast)
写得慢 (xiě de màn) (writes slowly)
写得漂亮 (xiě de piàoliang) (writes beautifully)
她写汉字写得比我漂亮。 (Tā xiě hànzì xiě de bǐ wǒ piàoliang.) – She writes Chinese characters more beautifully than me.
跑 (pǎo) (to run):
跑得快 (pǎo de kuài) (runs fast)
跑得慢 (pǎo de màn) (runs slowly)
我跑得没有他快。 (Wǒ pǎo de méiyǒu tā kuài.) – I don't run as fast as him.
吃 (chī) (to eat):
吃得多 (chī de duō) (eats a lot)
吃得少 (chī de shǎo) (eats little)
这个孩子吃得比大人多。 (Zhège háizi chī de bǐ dàrén duō.) – This child eats more than adults.
做 (zuò) (to do/make):
做得好 (zuò de hǎo) (does well)
做得快 (zuò de kuài) (does fast)
我做饭做得比妈妈快。 (Wǒ zuò fàn zuò de bǐ māma kuài.) – I cook faster than mom.
学 (xué) (to learn/study):
学得快 (xué de kuài) (learns fast)
学得认真 (xué de rènzhēn) (studies diligently)
他学中文学得比我好。 (Tā xué Zhōngwén xué de bǐ wǒ hǎo.) – He learns Chinese better than me.
睡 (shuì) (to sleep):
睡得早 (shuì de zǎo) (sleeps early)
睡得晚 (shuì de wǎn) (sleeps late)
你昨晚睡得比我晚。 (Nǐ zuówǎn shuì de bǐ wǒ wǎn.) – You slept later than me last night.
考 (kǎo) (to test/take an exam):
考得高 (kǎo de gāo) (scores high)
考得好 (kǎo de hǎo) (tests well)
这次考试我考得比上次好。 (Zhè cì kǎoshì wǒ kǎo de bǐ shàng cì hǎo.) – I scored better on this test than last time.
穿 (chuān) (to wear):
穿得暖 (chuān de nuǎn) (dresses warmly)
穿得少 (chuān de shǎo) (dresses sparsely)
她穿得比我少，不怕冷吗？ (Tā chuān de bǐ wǒ shǎo, bù pà lěng ma?) – She's wearing less than me, isn't she afraid of the cold?

Common Adjectives/Adverbial Phrases used as complements:

快 (kuài) (fast, quick)
慢 (màn) (slow)
好 (hǎo) (good, well)
差 (chà) (poorly, bad)
高 (gāo) (high, tall)
低 (dī) (low)
多 (duō) (many, much)
少 (shǎo) (few, little)
早 (zǎo) (early)
晚 (wǎn) (late)
流利 (liúlì) (fluent)
漂亮 (piàoliang) (beautifully)
认真 (rènzhēn) (diligently, seriously)
清楚 (qīngchǔ) (clearly)
熟练 (shúliàn) (skillfully, proficiently)
容易 (róngyì) (easily)
努力 (nǔlì) (diligently, industriously)

Quick FAQ

Here are answers to some common questions learners often have about 比 (bǐ) + 得 (de) comparisons, providing further clarity on specific nuances.

Q1: Can I use 比 (bǐ) + 得 (de) to compare actions that are inherently subjective or non-quantifiable?

Yes, absolutely. While many examples involve measurable aspects like speed or scores, this structure is perfectly suitable for comparing subjective qualities of action as long as you are describing how an action is performed. For example, `她唱歌唱得比我动听。

(Tā chàng gē chàng de bǐ wǒ dòngtīng.) – "She sings more beautifully/pleasingly than me." Here, 动听 (dòngtīng)` is a subjective aesthetic judgment, but its degree can still be compared. The core function is still describing the manner of the singing action.

Q2: What is the difference in nuance between 他比我跑得快 (Tā bǐ wǒ pǎo de kuài) and 他跑得比我快 (Tā pǎo de bǐ wǒ kuài)?

Both sentences are grammatically correct and convey the same basic meaning: "He runs faster than me." The primary difference lies in emphasis and natural conversational flow. Placing 比 (bǐ) + Person B before the verb (他比我跑得快) puts a slightly stronger emphasis on the comparison itself with "me" from the outset. Conversely, placing 比 (bǐ) + Person B after the verb and 得 (de) (他跑得比我快) tends to emphasize "his running" first, then clarifies the comparison.

In everyday conversation, both are very common and often interchangeable, though the latter (post-verbal 比 (bǐ)) might feel marginally more conversational in some contexts.

Q3: Can the complement of degree be a full clause or just an adjective/adverbial phrase?

In this comparative structure, the complement of degree following 得 (de) is almost exclusively an adjective, an adverbial phrase, or a short verb phrase describing a result. It rarely extends to a full, independent clause. For example, while 他高兴得跳起来 (tā gāoxìng de tiào qǐlái) ("He was so happy that he jumped up") uses 得 (de) for a resultative complement, when you integrate 比 (bǐ), it will typically be a simpler descriptive phrase: 他高兴得比我快 (tā gāoxìng de bǐ wǒ kuài) ("He got happy faster than me").

The role of 得 (de) here is to describe a single characteristic of the action.

Q4: Are there situations where verb copying is optional or preferred over the pre-verbal 比 (bǐ) structure?

Both verb copying and the pre-verbal 比 (bǐ) structures are grammatically valid for verbs with objects. The choice can sometimes be a matter of subtle emphasis or rhythmic preference. Verb copying (e.g., 他唱歌唱得比我好) can feel more natural when you want to emphasize the action-object unit or if the sentence feels more balanced with the repeated verb.

The pre-verbal 比 (bǐ) structure (e.g., 他比我唱歌唱得好) can sometimes feel more concise. There isn't a strict rule for preference, but being aware of both options allows for greater flexibility in expression.

Q5: What if I want to compare how someone doesn't do something as well as another person?

As discussed in the "Common Mistakes" section, you must use 没 (méi) or 没有 (méiyǒu) for negative comparisons of action. For example, 我没有你唱歌唱得好。 (Wǒ méiyǒu nǐ chàng gē chàng de hǎo.) – "I don't sing as well as you." This is the standard and correct way to express "A doesn't perform [verb] as [adjective] as B." Avoid 不 (bù) in these specific action comparisons.

Comparison Structure Table

Subject A	Verb	得	比	Subject B	Adjective
他	跑	得	比	我	快
你	说	得	比	他	好
她	跳	得	比	我	高
他	写	得	比	你	认真
我	学	得	比	他	快
他	吃	得	比	我	多

Meanings

This structure is used to compare the degree or quality of an action performed by two different subjects.

Action Comparison

Comparing the performance level of an action.

“{他|tā}{写|xiě}{字|zì}{写|xiě}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{我|wǒ}{好|hǎo}。”

“{你|nǐ}{做|zuò}{饭|fàn}{做|zuò}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{我|wǒ}{好|hǎo}。”

Reference Table

Reference table for Verb Comparisons: Doing it better than you ({比|bǐ} + {得|de})
Form	Structure	Example
Affirmative	Subj + V + 得 + 比 + Subj + Adj	他跑得比我快
Negative	Subj + V + 得 + 比 + Subj + 不 + Adj	他跑得比我不快
Question	Subj + V + 得 + 比 + Subj + Adj + 吗?	他跑得比我快吗?
Object Verb	Subj + V + Obj + V + 得 + 比 + Subj + Adj	他汉字写得比我好

Formality Spectrum

Formal

他奔跑的速度较我为快。

他奔跑的速度较我为快。 (Running)

Neutral

他跑得比我快。

他跑得比我快。 (Running)

Informal

他跑得比我快多了！

他跑得比我快多了！ (Running)

Slang

他跑得比我飞快！

他跑得比我飞快！ (Running)

Verb Comparison Map

Verb Comparison

Action

跑 run
写 write

Comparison

比 than

Examples by Level

{他|tā}{跑|pǎo}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{我|wǒ}{快|kuài}。

He runs faster than me.

{你|nǐ}{跳|tiào}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{我|wǒ}{高|gāo}。

You jump higher than me.

{他|tā}{吃|chī}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{我|wǒ}{多|duō}。

He eats more than me.

{她|tā}{睡|shuì}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{我|wǒ}{早|zǎo}。

She sleeps earlier than me.

{他|tā}{汉字|hànzì}{写|xiě}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{我|wǒ}{好|hǎo}。

He writes characters better than me.

{你|nǐ}{做|zuò}{饭|fàn}{做|zuò}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{我|wǒ}{好|hǎo}。

You cook better than me.

{他|tā}{开车|kāichē}{开|kāi}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{我|wǒ}{慢|màn}。

He drives slower than me.

{她|tā}{歌|gē}{唱|chàng}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{我|wǒ}{好听|hǎotīng}。

She sings better than me.

{他|tā}{工作|gōngzuò}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{我|wǒ}{努力|nǔlì}。

He works harder than me.

{你|nǐ}{学习|xuéxí}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{他|tā}{认真|rènzhēn}。

You study more seriously than him.

{这|zhè}{个|gè}{游戏|yóuxì}{玩|wán}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{那|nà}{个|gè}{有意思|yǒuyìsi}。

This game is played more interestingly than that one.

{他|tā}{把|bǎ}{书|shū}{看|kàn}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{我|wǒ}{快|kuài}。

He reads books faster than me.

{他|tā}{处理|chǔlǐ}{问题|wèntí}{处理|chǔlǐ}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{我|wǒ}{冷静|lěngjìng}。

He handles problems more calmly than I do.

{她|tā}{管理|guǎnlǐ}{团队|tuánduì}{管理|guǎnlǐ}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{你|nǐ}{有效|yǒuxiào}。

She manages the team more effectively than you.

{这|zhè}{个|gè}{项目|xiàngmù}{完成|wánchéng}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{预想|yùxiǎng}{快|kuài}。

This project was completed faster than expected.

{他|tā}{表达|biǎoyǎn|表演}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{专业|zhuānyè}{演员|yǎnyuán}{还|hái}{好|hǎo}。

He performs better than a professional actor.

{他|tā}{对|duì}{这|zhè}{个|gè}{问题|wèntí}{的|de}{分析|fēnxī}{分析|fēnxī}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{任何|rènhé}{人|rén}{都|dōu}{透彻|tòuchè}。

He analyzes this problem more thoroughly than anyone else.

{这|zhè}{种|zhǒng}{策略|cèlüè}{执行|zhíxíng}{执行|zhíxíng}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{原定|yuándìng}{计划|jìhuà}{更|gèng}{激进|jījìn}。

This strategy is executed more aggressively than the original plan.

{他|tā}{在|zài}{危机|wēijī}{中|zhōng}{表现|biǎoxiàn}{表现|biǎoxiàn}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{平时|píngshí}{更|gèng}{沉稳|chénwěn}。

He performs more steadily in a crisis than usual.

{这|zhè}{部|bù}{电影|diànyǐng}{拍摄|pāishè}{拍摄|pāishè}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{前|qián}{一|yī}{部|bù}{更|gèng}{细腻|xìnì}。

This movie is filmed more delicately than the previous one.

{他|tā}{对|duì}{古典|gǔdiǎn}{文学|wénxué}{的|de}{解读|jiědú}{解读|jiědú}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{许多|xǔduō}{专家|zhuānyè}{都|dōu}{深刻|shēnkè}。

His interpretation of classical literature is more profound than many experts.

{这|zhè}{位|wèi}{外交官|wàijiāoguān}{斡旋|wòxuán}{斡旋|wòxuán}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{前任|qiánrèn}{更|gèng}{具|jù}{灵活性|línghuóxìng}。

This diplomat negotiates with more flexibility than his predecessor.

{他|tā}{将|jiāng}{复杂|fùzá}{的|de}{理论|lǐlùn}{阐述|chǎnshù}{阐述|chǎnshù}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{教科书|jiàokēshū}{更|gèng}{易懂|yìdǒng}。

He explains complex theories more understandably than the textbook.

{这|zhè}{场|chǎng}{辩论|biànlùn}{他|tā}{发挥|fāhuī}{发挥|fāhuī}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{对手|duìshǒu}{更|gèng}{出色|chūsè}。

He performed better than his opponent in this debate.

Easily Confused

Verb Comparisons: Doing it better than you ({比|bǐ} + {得|de}) vs Static vs Dynamic Comparison

Learners mix up 'A is better than B' with 'A does better than B'.

Verb Comparisons: Doing it better than you ({比|bǐ} + {得|de}) vs Verb Repetition

Learners forget to repeat the verb when an object is present.

Verb Comparisons: Doing it better than you ({比|bǐ} + {得|de}) vs Placement of {比|bǐ}

Learners put {比|bǐ} before the verb.

Common Mistakes

✗

他比我跑得快

✓

他跑得比我快

The standard structure places the verb before the complement.

✗

他跑比我快

✓

他跑得比我快

Missing the {得|de} particle.

✗

他跑得比我

✓

他跑得比我快

Missing the adjective.

✗

他比我跑快

✓

他跑得比我快

Incorrect word order.

✗

他写汉字得比我好

✓

他汉字写得比我好

Verb-object placement error.

✗

他写得比我好汉字

✓

他汉字写得比我好

Object placement error.

✗

他写汉字写比我好

✓

他汉字写得比我好

Missing {得|de}.

✗

他工作得比我努力

✓

他工作得比我努力

Actually correct, but often confused with '他比我工作努力'.

✗

他学习得比我认真

✓

他学习得比我认真

Correct, but ensure verb repetition if needed.

✗

他玩游戏得比我好

✓

他游戏玩得比我好

Incorrect object placement.

✗

他分析问题分析得比我透彻

✓

他分析问题分析得比我透彻

Technically correct but redundant.

✗

他分析得比我透彻问题

✓

他分析问题分析得比我透彻

Object placement.

✗

他分析问题比我透彻

✓

他分析问题分析得比我透彻

Missing complement.

✗

他比我分析问题分析得透彻

✓

他分析问题分析得比我透彻

Word order.

Sentence Patterns

Subject A + ___ + 得 + 比 + Subject B + Adjective

Subject A + Verb + Object + ___ + 得 + 比 + Subject B + Adjective

Subject A + Verb + 得 + 比 + Subject B + ___

Subject A + Verb + Object + Verb + 得 + 比 + Subject B + ___

Real World Usage

Social Media very common

他打游戏打得比我好！

Texting very common

你跑得比我快吗？

Job Interview occasional

我处理问题处理得比别人冷静。

Travel common

他走得比我快。

Food Delivery common

这家店做饭做得比那家好。

Sports constant

他跳得比我高。

💡

Verb Repetition

Always repeat the verb if an object is present. It's the most common mistake.

⚠️

Don't skip {得|de}

The {得|de} particle is essential for the structure to work.

🎯

Use for skills

This is perfect for comparing skills like cooking, driving, or speaking.

💬

Be polite

Comparing can be sensitive; use it carefully in formal settings.

Smart Tips

Always check for an object. If there is one, repeat the verb.

他写汉字得比我好 → 他汉字写得比我好

Think of the structure as a bridge: Verb + {得|de} + {比|bǐ}.

他比我跑快 → 他跑得比我快

Ensure your adjective is precise.

他工作得比我好 → 他工作得比我努力

Focus on the {得|de} particle; it's the most important sound.

他跑比我快 → 他跑得比我快

Pronunciation

de (neutral)

De particle

The {得|de} in this structure is a neutral tone particle.

Comparison focus

他跑得比我快↗

Rising intonation at the end for questions.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Remember: 'Verb-De-Bi' is the key. Think of 'De' as the bridge connecting the action to the comparison.

Visual Association

Imagine a race track. One runner is ahead (Subject A), the other is behind (Subject B). The 'De' is the finish line tape.

Rhyme

Verb plus De, then Bi, then the other guy, that's how you compare, no lie.

Story

Xiao Ming is running. He runs fast. He looks at Xiao Hong. He says: 'I run faster than you'. In Chinese: {我|wǒ}{跑|pǎo}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{你|nǐ}{快|kuài}.

Word Web

The {得|de} particle is needed.

Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他跑得比我快

Correct structure.

Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

他写汉字得比我好。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他汉字写得比我好

Verb-object placement.

Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我跑得比他快

Correct order.

Translate to Chinese. Translation

He speaks Chinese better than me.

Answer starts with: 他中文...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他中文说得比我好

Correct structure.

Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: 你跑得快吗? B: ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他跑得比我快

Correct comparison.

Build a sentence. Sentence Building

他 / 唱歌 / 得 / 比 / 我 / 好听

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他唱歌唱得比我好听

Verb repetition.

Sort the grammar. Grammar Sorting

Which is the correct structure?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Subj+V+得+比+Subj+Adj

Standard structure.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises

Fill in the blank.

他跑___比我快。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 得

The {得|de} particle is needed.

Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他跑得比我快

Correct structure.

Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

他写汉字得比我好。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他汉字写得比我好

Verb-object placement.

Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

我 / 比 / 跑 / 他 / 得 / 快

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我跑得比他快

Correct order.

Translate to Chinese. Translation

He speaks Chinese better than me.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他中文说得比我好

Correct structure.

Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: 你跑得快吗? B: ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他跑得比我快

Correct comparison.

Build a sentence. Sentence Building

他 / 唱歌 / 得 / 比 / 我 / 好听

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他唱歌唱得比我好听

Verb repetition.

Sort the grammar. Grammar Sorting

Which is the correct structure?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Subj+V+得+比+Subj+Adj

Standard structure.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises

Arrange the words to say 'She drives faster than me'. Sentence Reorder

{她|Tā} / {快|kuài} / {得|de} / {比|bǐ} / {开|kāi} {车|chē} / {我|wǒ}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {她|Tā} {比|bǐ} {我|wǒ} {开|kāi} {车|chē} {开|kāi} {得|de} {快|kuài}

My older brother eats more than me. Fill in the Blank

{哥|Gē} {哥|ge} {吃|chī} ___ {比|bǐ} {我|wǒ} {多|duō}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {得|de}

Translate 'I swim faster than him'. Translation

Translate: I swim faster than him.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {我|Wǒ} {游|yóu} {泳|yǒng} {游|yóu} {得|de} {比|bǐ} {他|tā} {快|kuài}。

Which is the correct negative form? Multiple Choice

I don't run as fast as you.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {我|Wǒ} {没|méi} {有|yǒu} {你|nǐ} {跑|pǎo} {得|de} {快|kuài}。

Fix the mistake. Error Correction

{他|Tā} {写|xiě} {汉|hàn} {字|zì} {得|de} {比|bǐ} {我|wǒ} {漂亮|piàoliang}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Add another {写|xiě} before {得|de}

Match the Chinese to the English. Match Pairs

Match the pairs

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["Run fast","Come early","Learn well"]

She sings better than me (using Pre-Game method). Fill in the Blank

{她|Tā} ___ {我|wǒ} {唱|chàng} {得|de} {好|hǎo}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {比|bǐ}

Which sentence implies 'He runs MUCH faster'? Multiple Choice

Choose the intense comparison:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {他|Tā} {跑|pǎo} {得|de} {比|bǐ} {我|wǒ} {快|kuài} {得|de} {多|duō}。

Reorder: 'My phone takes photos better than yours.' Sentence Reorder

{手|Shǒu} {机|jī} / {我|wǒ} {的|de} / {好|hǎo} / {拍|pāi} {照|zhào} / {比|bǐ} / {你|nǐ} {的|de} / {拍|pāi} {得|de}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Both are correct

I did not perform as well as him. Fill in the Blank

{我|Wǒ} ___ {有|yǒu} {他|tā} {表|biǎo} {现|xiàn} {得|de} {好|hǎo}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {没|méi}

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

In Chinese, the {得|de} particle needs a verb to attach to. If there is an object, the verb must be repeated to provide a base for {得|de}.

Yes, just add {不|bù} before the adjective: {他|tā}{跑|pǎo}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{我|wǒ}{不|bù}{快|kuài}.

It is neutral and used in almost all contexts.

Most dynamic verbs work, but state verbs like {是|shì} or {有|yǒu} do not.

The sentence will be grammatically incorrect or sound very unnatural.

Add {吗|ma} at the end: {他|tā}{跑|pǎo}{得|de}{比|bǐ}{我|wǒ}{快|kuài}{吗|ma}?

Yes, but it's more common to use {最|zuì} for superlatives.

It is standard in Mandarin; other dialects have variations.

Scaffolded Practice

1

2

3

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

hace mejor que

Chinese requires a structural particle.

French moderate

fait mieux que

Chinese uses a complement structure.

German moderate

macht besser als

Chinese word order is strict.

Japanese high

〜より〜する

Chinese uses {得|de} as a bridge.

Arabic low

يفعل أفضل من

Chinese is SVO with complement.

Chinese high

比得结构

None.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Saying Things Are Different: 跟...不一样 (Not the Same As)

Expressing Change: 'More and More' with `越来越` (yuèláiyuè)

Learn These First

A2 Builds On

Comparing Things with 'bǐ' (A is more ... than B)

Overview The Chinese comparison structure `A 比 B Adjective` (`A bǐ B Adjective`) is a fundamental pattern used to expre...

Related Grammar Rules

Chinese Comparisons: 'Almost the Same' with 差不多 (chàbuduō)

Overview The term `差不多` (chàbuduō) is a fundamental expression in Chinese, encapsulating the nuanced meanings of "alm...

The More... The... (越...越...)

Ever noticed how the more you scroll through TikTok, the more you realize you’ve wasted two hours of your life? Or how t...

Comparing with Precision: Saying 'How Much' More (比 + Degree)

Overview Comparing two entities is a fundamental aspect of human language. In Chinese, the basic comparative structure `...

More and More (越来越)

Overview Chinese grammar offers elegant structures to describe change, and among the most fundamental for A1 learners is...

Saying Things Are Different: 跟...不一样 (Not the Same As)

Overview `跟...不一样` (`gēn... bù yíyàng`) is a core Chinese comparative structure that you will encounter frequently a...

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Verb Comparisons: Doing it better than you ({比|bǐ} + {得|de})

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Overview

How This Grammar Works

Formation Pattern

When To Use It

Common Mistakes

Common Collocations

Quick FAQ

Comparison Structure Table

Meanings

Action Comparison

Reference Table

Formality Spectrum

Verb Comparison Map

Action

Comparison

Examples by Level

Easily Confused

Common Mistakes

Sentence Patterns

Real World Usage

Verb Repetition

Don't skip {得|de}

Use for skills

Be polite

Smart Tips

Pronunciation

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Visual Association

Rhyme

Story

Word Web

Challenge

Cultural Notes

Did You Know?

Conversation Starters

Journal Prompts

Common Mistakes

Test Yourself

Practice Exercises

Practice Bank

FAQ (8)

Scaffolded Practice

1

2

3

4

Mastery Progress

In Other Languages

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Learn These First

Comparing Things with 'bǐ' (A is more ... than B)

Related Videos

【Home Tour🏠】🇭🇰香港505呎兩房一廳｜淺色系裝修｜👗衣櫃這樣設計超好放!!｜訂製傢俬 實用收納｜家居好物挑選｜Coey ahhhh

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO TO BEIJING

【认知提升01】颠覆三观！以中国社会、党史为例，分享7个快速提升认知的人性底层逻辑 | 人生经验 | 赚钱 | 恋爱 | 工作 | 学习

How to Compare People and Things in Mandarin Chinese Using Bi | Beginner Lesson 12 | HSK 2

Making Comparisons in Mandarin: 比, 最, 没有, 更, 一样, 差不多 - Chinese Grammar

Related Grammar Rules

Chinese Comparisons: 'Almost the Same' with 差不多 (chàbuduō)

The More... The... (越...越...)

Comparing with Precision: Saying 'How Much' More (比 + Degree)

More and More (越来越)

Saying Things Are Different: 跟...不一样 (Not the Same As)

Comments (0)

Explore Our Learning Content

Languages

Vocabulary

Phrases

Grammar Rules

Categories

Install SubLearn

Chat History

SubLearn Assistant

【Home Tour🏠】🇭🇰香港505呎兩房一廳｜淺色系裝修｜👗衣櫃這樣設計超好放!!｜訂製傢俬實用收納｜家居好物挑選｜Coey ahhhh