Chinese word

比较

Pronunciation

Pinyinbǐ jiào

Meaning

  • adverbrelatively

Example

这道题比较简单。zhè dào tí bǐ jiào jiǎn dān

This problem is relatively simple.

Illustration for 比较 (relatively)

More examples

这件衣服比较合适。zhè jiàn yī fú bǐ jiào hé shì

This piece of clothing is relatively suitable.

Core concept

A gentle tilt on a scale shows how one thing stands relative to others, whether the focus is comparison or degree.

Common phrases

  • 比较容易bǐ jiào róng yì

    relatively easy

  • 比较合适bǐ jiào hé shì

    relatively suitable

Similar words

有点儿yóu diǎnr: Indicates a small degree, often softening a negative comment.
挺tǐng: Indicates in casual speech that a quality or amount is quite high.
相对xiāng duì: Indicates a relative difference in a quality or trait when judged against a standard or other things.
稍微shāo wēi: Indicates a very small degree in a mild, understated way.

Definition in Chinese

表示“相对来说”的程度判定，语气不绝对且多用于口语；在句中也可作动词，表示对两者或多者进行比较。biǎo shì xiāng duì lái shuō de chéng dù pàn dìng yǔ qì bù jué duì qiě duō yòng yú kóu yǔ zài jù zhōng yě kě zuò dòng cí biǎo shì duì liáng zhě huò duō zhě jìn xíng bǐ jiào

Word origin

比 (bǐ, "compare") and 较 (jiào, "compare or be more") combine to connect direct comparison with a judgment about relative amount or quality.

Usage tips

  • The same word can act as a verb before the things being examined or as an adverb before a description, so its position helps reveal its role in a sentence.

Other meanings

  • quiteadverb
  • compareverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word