Comparison with 比 (7)

In a 比 comparison, to state the gap as an exact amount, a number plus a measure word follows the adjective.

Basic structure

A + 比 + B + adjective + number + measure word

Meaning: A exceeds B by … items / … years / … hours. The pattern states the exact difference.

今(Jīn)天(tiān)的(de)词(cí)比(bǐ)昨(zuó)天(tiān)多(duō)了(le)十(shí)个(ge)。

Today's words are ten more than yesterday's.

今天的词 + 比 + 昨天 + 多了 + 十个 today's words + than yesterday + more + by ten

今(jīn)天(tiān)的(de)词(cí)today's words

比(bǐ)昨(zuó)天(tiān)than yesterday

多(duō)了(le)more

十(shí)个(ge)ten

The difference is exact here: 十个 — ten of them.

姐(Jiě)姐(jie)比(bǐ)我(wǒ)大(dà)三(sān)岁(suì)。

My sister is three years older than me.

姐姐 + 比 + 我 + 大 + 三岁 older sister + than me + older + by three years

姐(jiě)姐(jie)older sister

比(bǐ)我(wǒ)than me

大(dà)older

三(sān)岁(suì)three years

Here the gap in age is 三岁 — three years.

坐(Zuò)飞(fēi)机(jī)比(bǐ)坐(zuò)火(huǒ)车(chē)快(kuài)五(wǔ)个(ge)多(duō)小(xiǎo)时(shí)。

Flying is over five hours faster than taking the train.

坐飞机 + 比 + 坐火车 + 快 + 五个多小时 by plane + than by train + faster + by over five hours

坐(zuò)飞(fēi)机(jī)go by plane

比(bǐ)坐(zuò)火(huǒ)车(chē)than going by train

快(kuài)faster

五(wǔ)个(ge)多(duō)小(xiǎo)时(shí)over five hours

Here the difference in time is stated exactly.

A + 比 + B + adjective + number + measure word

Meaning: it states the exact difference between the two.

比昨天多了十个 — ten more than yesterday 比我大三岁 — three years older than me 比坐火车快五个多小时 — over five hours faster than the train