比 vs 跟 (bǐ vs gēn): comparing inequality and equality
比 (bǐ) is used to mark unequal comparisons, meaning 'A is more/less [adjective] than B'. 跟 (gēn) is used with 一样 (yíyàng) to mark equal comparisons, meaning 'A is as [adjective] as B'. They are not interchangeable in their core uses.
When comparing two things in Chinese, use 比 (bǐ) to express that one has a higher degree of a quality than the other (e.g., 'A is taller than B'). Use 跟 (gēn) together with 一样 (yíyàng) to express that two things are equal in a quality (e.g., 'A is as tall as B'). 比 introduces the standard of comparison in an unequal relationship, while 跟 pairs with 一样 to create an equal comparison. Using the wrong one changes the meaning entirely.
When to use each
Use 比 to compare two items where one has a greater or lesser degree of a quality. The structure is A + 比 + B + adjective (optional measure word or number for age/height). For example, '他比我高' means 'He is taller than me.' 比 can also be used with 更 (gèng) to emphasize 'even more'.
比 can sometimes be used with verbs of change (e.g., 多, 少, 早, 晚) to compare quantities or times: '我比他来得早' (I came earlier than him).
Use 跟 with 一样 (yíyàng) to make equal comparisons. The structure is A + 跟 + B + 一样 + adjective (optional). For example, '他跟我一样高' means 'He is as tall as me.' Without 一样, 跟 means 'with' and does not express comparison. 跟 can also be used with 不一样 to express inequality: 'A 跟 B 不一样' (A is not the same as B).
To negate an equal comparison—i.e., 'A is not as tall as B'—use 没有 (méiyǒu) instead of 跟: '他没有我高' (He is not as tall as me). Using 跟...不一样 + adjective is unnatural for that meaning.
At a glance
| 比 | 跟 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of comparison | Inequality (A is more/less than B) | Equality (A is as ⋯ as B) |
| Structure with adjective | A 比 B + adjective | A 跟 B 一样 + adjective |
| Structure for 'not the same' | Avoid for this meaning (use 没有 or 不如) | A 跟 B 不一样 |
| Negation of inequality (A is not more than B) | A 没有 B + adjective (or 不比 for 'no more than') | Not applicable (use 没有 for 'not as tall') |
| Compatibility with 更/还 | 可以加更/还表示‘更’ (e.g., 他比我更高) | Not used with 更/还 in equality (use 一样 meaning 'just as') |
Examples
- 比他比我高。Tā bǐ wǒ gāo.He is taller than me.Inequality: 比 marks which side is exceeded.
- 跟他跟我一样高。Tā gēn wǒ yíyàng gāo.He is as tall as me.Equality: 跟...一样 expresses equal height.
- 比这本书比那本书便宜。Zhè běn shū bǐ nà běn shū piányí.This book is cheaper than that book.Inequality with 'cheaper'.
- 跟我的手机跟他的手机一样贵。Wǒ de shǒujī gēn tā de shǒujī yíyàng guì.My phone is as expensive as his phone.Equality in price.
- 跟他跟我一样不高。Tā gēn wǒ yíyàng bù gāo.He is as short as me.Equality in low height. Note: '一样不高' means 'equally not tall', i.e., both are short. ✗ This does NOT mean 'not as tall as me' – that would be 他没有我高.
- 比他跑得比我快。Tā pǎo de bǐ wǒ kuài.He runs faster than me.Inequality with a verb phrase: 跑得快 compared with 比.
Common mistakes
- Using 跟 without 一样 to mean 'than': ✗ '他跟我高' (should be 他比我高 or 他跟我一样高 for equality).
- Using 比 to express equality: ✗ '他比一样高' (should be 他跟我一样高).
- Negating an equal comparison incorrectly: ✗ '他跟我一样不高' to mean 'He is not as tall as me' – that actually means 'He is as short as me'. Use 没有: '他没有我高'.
- Using 比 with 一样 together: ✗ '他比跟我一样高' (ungrammatical; 比 and 跟 cannot combine).
- Using 跟...不一样 + adjective to mean 'not as tall': ✗ '他跟我高不一样' is unnatural. Instead use '他跟我一样不高' (equally short) or '他没有我高' (he is not as tall).
FAQ
- When do I use 比 vs 跟 for comparisons?
- Use 比 when you want to say one thing is more or less than another (inequality). Use 跟 with 一样 when you want to say two things are equal. For example: 他比我大 (He is older than me) vs 他跟我一样大 (He is as old as me).
- Can I use 跟 without 一样 to compare?
- No. 跟 on its own means 'with'. To express equality you must include 一样. To express inequality without 比, use 没有 or 不如. For example: '他不比我高' (meaning 'he is not taller than me', implying possible equality or shorter).
- How do I negate a 比 comparison?
- To say 'A is not taller than B', you can say 'A 没有 B 高' (A is not as tall as B). Avoid '不比' in affirmative statements as it has a tone of refutation ('A is no taller than B', implying both are short).
- Why does '他跟我一样不高' mean 'he is as short as me' instead of 'not as tall'?
- 因为‘一样不高’等于‘一样矮’——‘不高’是一个否定形容词，意思是‘矮’。所以‘一样不高’表示两人都矮。表示‘他没有我高’应该用‘没有’。