比如 / 例如
HSK 4- Other
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Use 比如 or 例如 to introduce specific examples that illustrate a general statement.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
比如 (bǐrú) and 例如 (lìrú) both mean "for example" or "such as." They are used to list one or more specific examples to clarify what you have just said.
比如is more commonly used in spoken language and is more informal.例如is slightly more formal and is more often found in written language.
In many cases, they can be used interchangeably.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 我喜欢很多运动，比如游泳和跑步。繁: 我喜歡很多運動，比如游泳和跑步。Wǒ xǐhuān hěn duō yùndòng, bǐrú yóuyǒng hé pǎobù.
I like many sports, such as swimming and running.
- 越南有很多好吃的水果，例如芒果。Yuènán yǒu hěn duō hǎochī de shuǐguǒ, lìrú mángguǒ.
Vietnam has many delicious fruits, such as mangoes.
- 他会说好几种外语，比如英语、法语。繁: 他會說好幾種外語，比如英語、法語。Tā huì shuō hǎo jǐ zhǒng wàiyǔ, bǐrú Yīngyǔ, Fǎyǔ.
He can speak several foreign languages, such as English and French.
- 这家店卖很多东西，例如衣服和鞋子。繁: 這家店賣很多東西，例如衣服和鞋子。Zhè jiā diàn mài hěn duō dōngxi, lìrú yīfu hé xiézi.
This store sells many things, such as clothes and shoes.
- 我们可以聊些轻松的话题，比如电影。繁: 我們可以聊些輕鬆的話題，比如電影。Wǒmen kěyǐ liáo xiē qīngsōng de huàtí, bǐrú diànyǐng.
We can chat about some relaxed topics, such as movies.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我喜欢很多水果，比如是芒果、苹果。Correct:我喜欢很多水果，比如芒果、苹果。
After 比如 or 例如, there is no need to add 是. You can list examples directly.
- Wrong:他有很多爱好，比如他喜欢看书。Correct:他有很多爱好，比如看书。
When listing examples, there is no need to repeat the subject and verb; it is sufficient to mention only the noun or verb phrase.