Chinese Grammar Bank
CHINESE COMPARISON STRUCTURES
We have already learned how to use 比 in a previous article, which is a great place to start.
While 比 structures are extremely common (and helpful!), they aren’t the only way to compare two different objects in Chinese.
Now, we’ll show you two other simple patterns you can use to compare things in Mandarin Chinese.
CHINESE COMPARISON WITH 一样
一样 (yī yàng) is used to express that two things are the same in some way. It means “the same” or “identical”.
PATTERN
Noun 1 + 跟 / 和 + Noun 2 + 一样
n this comparison structure, 一样 (yī yàng) is paired with 和 (hé) or with 跟 (gēn).
You can use the two words 和 and 跟 interchangeably. Their function is to link the two elements together, while 一样 indicates you find them the same.
So you only need to place similar items on either side of 和 (跟) and then add 一样 at the end.
You can also add an adjective after 一样 to make your comparison more specific:
PATTERN
Noun 1 + 跟 / 和 + Noun 2 + 一样 + Adjective
This describes Noun 1 as being as adjective as Noun 2. Here are more examples:
CHINESE COMPARISON WITH 没有
Another way to compare elements is to use 没有 (méi yǒu).
没有 can be used to express that something is “not as” adjective as something else, in the following pattern: 没有……那么 (这么).
Note that this is the same 没有 that means “not have,” used here in a different way. The sentence structure is:
PATTERN
Noun 1 + 没有 + Noun 2 + Adjective
In this structure, the first noun should be less “adjective” than the second noun. For instance, in this sentence:
- 火车没有飞机快。
- huǒ chē méi yǒu fēi jī kuài
- Trains are not as fast as planes.
The same situation could be described as:
- 飞机比火车快。
- fēi jī bǐ huǒ chē kuài
- Planes are faster than trains.
You can also choose to leave out the 有 in this pattern. Here are more examples:
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FAQs
What does 一样 mean?
一样 (yī yàng) is used to express that two things are the same in some way. It means “the same” or “identical”.
How do you use 没有 to compare?
没有can be used to express that something is “not as” adjective as something else, in the following pattern: 没有……那么(这么).
What are some example sentences with 一样?
Here are some example sentences with 一样:
– 我跟你的愿望一样。wǒ gēn nǐ de yuàn wàng yī yàng. I have the same wish as you.
– 他和他爸爸长得一样。tā hé tā bà bà zhǎng de yī yàng. He looks just like his dad.
-这个词跟那个词的意思一样吗？zhè gè cí gēn nà gè cí de yì sī yī yàng ma. Does this word mean the same as that word?
What are some example sentences with 没有?
Here are some example sentences with 没有:
– 学习日文没有学习中文难。xué xí rì wén méi yǒu xué xí zhōng wén nán. Learning Japanese is not as difficult as learning Chinese.
– 城市环境没有郊区好。chéng shì huán jìng méi yǒu jiāo qū hǎo. The urban environment is not as good as the suburbs.
– 普通人的体力没有运动员好。pǔ tōng rén de tǐ lì méi yǒu yùn dòng yuán hǎo. The physical strength of ordinary people is not as good as that of athletes.
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