相比

• Pinyin: xiāng bǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 相 = 木 (tree) + 目 (eye), originally meaning to observe closely; 比 = two people side by side, meaning to compare

Meaning

To compare; compared with. Used to draw comparisons between two things.

Often used in the structure 与/跟...相比 (compared with...) to set up a comparison. More formal than 比, and typically used when making analytical or evaluative statements rather than simple comparisons.

Examples

1. 和去年相比，今年的天气暖和多了。 Compared with last year, the weather is much warmer this year.
2. 与大城市相比，小城市的生活节奏更慢。 Compared with big cities, the pace of life in small cities is slower.
3. 跟其他同学相比，她的进步最大。 Compared with other classmates, she has made the most progress.

Usage Guide

Context: comparison, analysis, discussion

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• 和以前相比，现在方便多了。(Compared with before, things are much more convenient now.)
• 两个方案相比，我觉得第一个更好。(Comparing the two plans, I think the first one is better.)

Don't Say

• 这个苹果相比那个大。(For simple size comparisons, use 比 — say 这个苹果比那个大. 相比 is used for broader analytical comparisons.)

Origin & History

相 means 'mutually' or 'each other' and 比 means 'to compare'. Together they express the act of placing two things side by side for comparison.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal