N1 + 不比 + N2 + Adj (no more … than) · N1 + 不比 + N2 + Adj (pas plus … que)
No greater than does not mean equal
- One person denies being taller than another.
- 我不比他高。 — The speaker is no taller, allowing equal height or shorter height.
No greater than does not mean equal
- One person denies being taller than another.
- I / me我not不than / compared to比he / him他high高。 — The speaker is no taller, allowing equal height or shorter height.
One person denies being taller than another. What does 我不比他高。 communicate?
The speaker is no taller, allowing equal height or shorter height. 没有他高 normally states being shorter in this comparison. 不比 does not by itself decide between equality and a lower value.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is N1 + 不比 + N2 + Adj (no more … than). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
I我no more than不比him他tall高。
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is N1 + unlike不比 + N2 + Adj (no more … than). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
I我no more than不比him他tall高。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: I'm no taller than he is: 我 ____ 他高。
N1 + 不比 + N2 + Adj = no more … than: 我不比他高. · N1 + 不比 + N2 + Adj = pas plus … que : 我不比他高.
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, 我不比他高。: The speaker is no taller, allowing equal height or shorter height.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, I / me我not不than / compared to比he / him他high高。: The speaker is no taller, allowing equal height or shorter height.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
How does 不比 differ from 没有? · En quoi 不比 diffère-t-il de 没有 ?
No taller permits equal or shorter. No greater than is different from strictly less; 没有 does not specify a large gap.
Know the boundary
- 没有他高 normally states being shorter in this comparison.
- 不比 does not by itself decide between equality and a lower value.
Know the boundary
- not have / haven't没有he / him他high高 normally states being shorter in this comparison.
- unlike不比 does not by itself decide between equality and a lower value.
不比 says N1 definitely exceeds N2. · 不比 dit que N1 dépasse certainement N2.
Opposite — 不比 = no more than (level or less). · L'inverse — 不比 = pas plus que (niveau ou moins).
我不比他高 proves that both heights are exactly equal.
没有他高 normally states being shorter in this comparison. 不比 does not by itself decide between equality and a lower value. The speaker is no taller, allowing equal height or shorter height.
Use the distinction
- The speaker is no taller, allowing equal height or shorter height.
- 没有他高 normally states being shorter in this comparison. 不比 does not by itself decide between equality and a lower value.
Read the full reference: HSK 5 grammar — Sentence patterns.
Use the distinction
- The speaker is no taller, allowing equal height or shorter height.
- not have / haven't没有he / him他high高 normally states being shorter in this comparison. unlike不比 does not by itself decide between equality and a lower value.
Read the full reference: HSK 5 grammar — Sentence patterns.