Comparative sentences (11)

In Chinese comparative sentences with “比” (bǐ), when the predicate is a plain verb, it can be preceded by 多, 少, 早 or 晚.

These words state the difference in amount or in time between the two sides.

Basic Structure

A + 比 + B + 多 / 少 / 早 / 晚 + Verb + quantity

In English: A + compared with B + more / less / earlier / later + Verb + amount

What 多 / 少 / 早 / 晚 mean

多(duō)more

少(shǎo)less

早(zǎo)earlier

晚(wǎn)later

Examples

冬(Dōng)天(tiān)比(bǐ)夏(xià)天(tiān)早(zǎo)关(guān)门(mén)一(yí)个(ge)小(xiǎo)时(shí)。

In winter it closes an hour earlier than in summer.

Structure

冬天 + 比 + 夏天 + 早 + 关门 + 一个小时 A + 比 + B + earlier + close + by an hour 冬天 — in winter 比夏天 — than in summer 早 — earlier 关门 — to close 一个小时 — by one hour

The difference in time here is one hour.

哥(Gē)哥(ge)比(bǐ)弟(dì)弟(di)多(duō)吃(chī)了(le)三(sān)个(ge)饺(jiǎo)子(zi)。

The older brother ate three more dumplings than the younger one.

Structure

哥哥 + 比 + 弟弟 + 多 + 吃了 + 三个饺子 older brother + 比 + younger brother + more + ate + three dumplings 哥哥 — older brother 比弟弟 — than the younger brother 多 — more 吃了 — ate 三个饺子 — three dumplings

The difference in amount here is three dumplings.

我(Wǒ)比(bǐ)他(tā)晚(wǎn)到(dào)了(le)十(shí)分(fēn)钟(zhōng)。

I arrived ten minutes later than he did.

Structure

我 + 比 + 他 + 晚 + 到了 + 十分钟 I + 比 + he + later + arrived + by ten minutes 我 — I 比他 — than he did 晚 — later 到了 — arrived 十分钟 — by ten minutes

The difference in time here is ten minutes.

Quick Rule

A + 比 + B + 多 / 少 / 早 / 晚 + Verb + quantity

Meaning: it states how much more, less, earlier or later A did something than B.

Examples:

比(bǐ)夏(xià)天(tiān)早(zǎo)关(guān)门(mén)一(yí)个(ge)小(xiǎo)时(shí)

closes an hour earlier than in summer

比(bǐ)弟(dì)弟(di)多(duō)吃(chī)了(le)三(sān)个(ge)饺(jiǎo)子(zi)

ate three more dumplings than his younger brother

比(bǐ)他(tā)晚(wǎn)到(dào)了(le)十(shí)分(fēn)钟(zhōng)

arrived ten minutes later than he did