比 (bǐ) - to compare & to compete

比Tone 3

bǐ ｜ 4 strokes ｜ radical: 比

傲不

比 · bǐ

to compare;

to compete;

ratio;

than;

to gesture (as in imitating);

close together

to compareto competeratio

Usage highlights

comparecompetitionratiothananalogycontrast

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Let's compare these two items (比较).
  • My score is higher than yours (比你的高).
  • The ratio of boys to girls is 3:2 (比例).
  • They are competing in a race (比赛).

Collocations

  • compare(比较)
  • competition(比赛)
  • ratio(比例)
  • than(比)
  • analogy(比喻)
  • contrast(对比)

Idioms

  • Compare one's heart to another's heart(将心比心)
  • Compare notes(比比皆是)
  • Compare favorably with(相形见绌)
  • Compare to the point of absurdity(比上不足，比下有余)
  • Year after year(一年比一年)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • One of the earliest Chinese characters, appearing on oracle bone inscriptions.
  • Originally depicted two people standing close together, conveying the meaning of comparison and proximity.
  • Used in mathematical contexts to denote ratios and proportions.

FAQ