Expressing "rather" with "bijiao"
The word 比较 (bǐjiào) can be a verb which means "to compare." But it can also be an adverb (no "-ly" required!) meaning "comparatively" or "rather."
Contents
- 1 Used with Adjectives
- 1.1 Structure
- 1.2 Examples
- 2 Used with Verbs
- 2.1 Structure
- 2.2 Examples
- 3 See also
- 4 Sources and further reading
Used with Adjectives
Structure
The adverb 比较 can be used to express "quite," "rather," or "relatively." It's a way of comparing one thing with a general idea instead of comparing two concrete things.
Subj. + 比较 + Adj.
Examples
- 这个 问题 比较 简单 。
Zhège wèntí bǐjiào jiǎndān.
This question is quite easy.
- 我 觉得 这个 价格 比较 贵 。
Wǒ juéde zhège jiàgé bǐjiào guì.
I think this price is rather expensive.
- 我 家 离 市中心 比较 近 。
Wǒ jiā lí shìzhōngxīn bǐjiào jìn.
My place is relatively close to downtown.
- 大 城市 的 工作 压力 比较 大 。
Dà chéngshì de gōngzuò yālì bǐjiào dà.
Jobs in big cities have quite a lot of pressure.
- 你 上班 坐 地铁 比较 方便 还是 骑车 比较 方便 ？
Nǐ shàngbān zuò dìtiě bǐjiào fāngbiàn háishì qíchē bǐjiào fāngbiàn?
To get to work, is it more convenient for you to take the metro or to ride a bike?
Used with Verbs
比较 can also be used with psychological verbs.
Structure
Subj. + 比较 + [Verb Phrase]
Examples
- 我 比较 讨厌 男人 说 脏话 。
Wǒ bǐjiào tǎoyàn nánrén shuō zānghuà.
I quite hate it when men use foul language.
- 你 比较 喜欢 用 Gmail 还是 Hotmail ？Note that for this phrase, the translation is a totally different verb.
Nǐ bǐjiào xǐhuan yòng Gmail háishì Hotmail?
Do you prefer to use Gmail or Hotmail?
- 我 父母 比较 反对 我 找 外国 男朋友 。
Wǒ fùmǔ bǐjiào fǎnduì wǒ zhǎo wàiguó nánpéngyou.
My parents rather object to me seeking a foreign boyfriend.
- 民众 比较 支持 新 的 就业 政策 。
Mínzhòng bǐjiào zhīchí xīn de jiùyè zhèngcè.
The public rather supports the new employment policy.
- 老板 通常 比较 关注 结果 ，不 是 过程 。
Lǎobǎn tōngcháng bǐjiào guānzhù jiéguǒ, bù shì guòchéng.
The boss usually pays more attention to results and not process.
See also
- Expressing "a little too" with "you dian"
- The "zui" superlative
- Special verbs with "hen"
- Expressing "a bit too"
- Sources and further reading
Books
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (pp. 49-50) →buy