HOW TO Use Bijiao as a Comparative or Adverb
Bǐjiào (比较) can be a tricky concept for Mandarin beginners grasp. On one hand, it’s used for comparison, but it’s also used as an adverb like “quite” or “fairly”.
Bǐjiào for comparison
nǎ yī jiàn yīfu bǐjiào hǎo kàn? / 哪一件衣服比较好看? / which one (of these clothes) looks better?
shéi bǐjiào gāo? / 谁比较高? / who is taller?
zhè ge bǐjiào hǎochī / 这个比较好吃 / this one tastes better
Bǐjiào as an adverb
wǒ jīntiān bǐjiào máng / 我今天比较忙 / I’m quite busy today
wǒmen bǐjiào è / 我们比较饿 / we’re fairly hungry
shàng zhōu bǐjiào rè / 上周比较热 / it was pretty hot last week
