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HSK 2.0 Level 2+ HSK 3.0 Level 2+ 5 min read

他比我跑得快 and 他跑得比我快 for Comparing Actions

To compare how two people do something, combine 比 with a 得 complement: 他比我跑得快 or 他跑得比我快 both mean “he runs faster than me”.

Pattern

A + 比 + B + verb + 得 + adjective · A + verb + 得 + 比 + B + adjective

比 B can go before the verb or right after 得; the adjective comes at the end (only 一点儿 or 多了 can follow it), with no 很.

他跑得比我快。

When to use 他比我跑得快 and 他跑得比我快 for Comparing Actions

A 得 complement says how an action is done: 他跑得很快. To compare two people’s actions, add 比 + the other person in one of two places. Either before the verb: 他比我跑得快, or right after 得: 他跑得比我快. Both mean “he runs faster than me” and both are very common. The adjective comes at the end (only 一点儿 or 多了 can follow it), and 很 is dropped. For “not as … as”, use 没有: 我跑得没有他快 or 我没有他跑得快.

他比我跑得快。

He runs faster than me.

妹妹唱歌唱得比我好。

My little sister sings better than me.

我跑得没有他快。

I don’t run as fast as he does.

她汉语说得比我好多了。

She speaks Chinese much better than me.

Common traps

  • Don’t use 很 in the comparison: say 他跑得比我快, not 他跑得比我很快.
  • Don’t put 比 between the verb and 得: say 他跑得比我快 or 他比我跑得快, not 他跑比我得快.
  • With an object, repeat the verb or move the object first: 他说汉语说得比我好 or 他汉语说得比我好, not 他说汉语得比我好.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

哥哥比我吃 多

My older brother eats more than me
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