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HSK 2.0 Level 4+ HSK 3.0 Level 4+ 7 min read

Comparisons with A不如B and 跟……相比

Say “A isn’t as good as B” with 不如 and “compared with…” with 跟……相比, as in 我的汉语不如他好.

Pattern

A + 不如 + B (+ adjective); 跟/和 + B + 相比，A + comment

A不如B means B is better; 跟B相比 sets up B as the yardstick for what you say next.

我的汉语不如他好。

When to use Comparisons with A不如B and 跟……相比

A不如B means “A is not as good as B”. 不如 goes between the two things, and an adjective after B says in what way: 我的汉语不如他好 “My Chinese isn’t as good as his.” The adjective is normally a good quality (好, 方便, 便宜), so B always comes out better. 跟/和 + B + 相比 means “compared with B”; it usually opens the sentence and the comment follows: 跟去年相比，今年冷多了.

坐公共汽车不如坐地铁方便。

Taking the bus isn’t as convenient as taking the subway.

跟去年相比，今年冬天冷多了。

Compared with last year, this winter is much colder.

和大城市相比，小城市的生活更安静。

Compared with big cities, life in small towns is quieter.

我画画不如妹妹。

I’m not as good at drawing as my younger sister.

Common traps

  • Don’t put 很 before the adjective after 不如: 我不如他高, not 我不如他很高.
  • Use a good quality after 不如: to say this shop is pricier, say 这家店不如那家便宜, not 这家店不如那家贵.
  • Put 相比 at the end of the 跟 phrase: 跟去年相比，…, not 相比跟去年，….

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

今天 昨天热

Today is hotter than yesterday
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