A 比 B + Verb + 得 + Adjective
HSK 5- Comparison
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Used to compare the degree or result of an action between two subjects A and B.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
This structure is used to compare the manner or result of an action, rather than comparing the subjects themselves. It answers the question "Who does something... more than whom?"
Unlike A 比 B + adjective (e.g., 我比他高 - I am taller than him), this structure includes a verb and the particle 得 to describe the action. The adjective at the end of the sentence modifies the verb, not the subject.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 他比我跑得快。Tā bǐ wǒ pǎo de kuài.
He runs faster than me.
- 妹妹比姐姐写得好。繁: 妹妹比姐姐寫得好。Mèimei bǐ jiějie xiě de hǎo.
The younger sister writes better than the older sister.
- 你比他说得流利。繁: 你比他說得流利。Nǐ bǐ tā shuō de liúlì.
You speak more fluently than he does.
- 我比他起得早。Wǒ bǐ tā qǐ de zǎo.
I wake up earlier than he does.
- 小王比我吃得多。Xiǎo Wáng bǐ wǒ chī de duō.
Xiao Wang eats more than I do.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:他比我跑快。Correct:他比我跑得快。
The particle 得 is required to connect the verb (跑) with a complement indicating degree (快).
- Wrong:他比我跑得很快。Correct:他比我跑得快。
In comparative sentences with 比, do not use adverbs indicating degree such as 很 or 非常 before adjectives.