Comparison with 比

Above, we used the particle 比 to compare one time to another.

今天比昨天冷.

Today is colder than yesterday.

When we compare things in Mandarin, we use the pattern A 比 B adjective to say A is more adjective than B.

你比我高.

You are taller than me.

We can modify that adjective with 更 (even more) or 一点 (a little). 更 can also stand on its own.

北京的人口比上海的少一点.

Beijing’s population is a little bit smaller than Shanghai’s.

美国人比德国人多, 但是中国人比德国人更多.

There are more Americans than Germans, but there are even more Chinese than Germans.

Note that whether 更 stands alone or after a 比 statement, the adjective is repeated.

他很帅, 可是他哥哥更帅.

He’s handsome, but his brother is even more handsome.

We can also modify 比 to be more specific about the details of the comparison or the adjective.

你比我大两岁.

You are two years older than me.