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Compare two things before buying
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| English | Meaning |
|---|---|
| comparison | 比较 |
A useful situation
- Your goal: Describe a difference and ask about the preferred item.
- Before you start, recall prices and familiar adjectives such as expensive贵, expensive, and cheap / inexpensive便宜, inexpensive. A comparison describes a difference; a preference belongs to a particular person.
红色的比蓝色的贵。红色 means red, 蓝色 blue and 贵 expensive. Which cup costs more?
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The item before 比 is described as more expensive than the comparison item after 比. Reversing them reverses the claim; the sentence does not establish anyone’s preference.
Words you will use
- than, comparison比 bǐ — than, comparison. this这个than, comparison比that那个expensive贵。
- expensive贵 guì — expensive. this这个degree / adjective linker很expensive贵。
- cheap / inexpensive便宜 piányi — cheap / inexpensive. that那个more更cheap / inexpensive便宜。
- colour颜色 yánsè — colour. you你to like喜欢what什么colour颜色？
- but但是 dànshì — but. cheap / inexpensive便宜，but但是太小。
Match each word with its meaning in this unit.
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Use the example sentences to check each word’s meaning in context.
Build the meaning
- A than, comparison比 B + adjective compares A with B: this这个than, comparison比that那个expensive贵. Do not add degree / adjective linker很 immediately after than, comparison比 in this basic pattern.
- Use more更 to say even more: this这个more更cheap / inexpensive便宜. A description alone does not establish which choice is best for every person.
Work through a decision: A red cup costs eighteen yuan and a blue cup twelve. red (color)红色(modifier / structural particle)的than, comparison比blue (color)蓝色(modifier / structural particle)的expensive贵 follows because eighteen exceeds twelve. blue (color)蓝色(modifier / structural particle)的than, comparison比red (color)红色(modifier / structural particle)的cheap / inexpensive便宜 describes the same price relation from the other side. Neither sentence tells you which colour a customer likes or whether either cup is affordable for them.
Compare a plausible mistake: more更to like喜欢red (color)红色 says someone prefers red; red (color)红色(modifier / structural particle)的more更expensive贵 says red is more expensive in the comparison context. Cost and preference are different claims. In the basic A than, comparison比 B expensive贵 pattern, do not insert degree / adjective linker很 immediately after than, comparison比 to imitate very in English.
A than, comparison比 B expensive贵 means A costs more than B. Reversing A and B reverses the comparison.
Complete “This is more expensive than that”: 这个____那个贵。
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比 introduces the comparison standard.
A red notebook costs thirty yuan and a blue notebook twenty. First identify the higher price. Which sentence preserves the relation? 贵 means expensive and 便宜 inexpensive.
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Thirty exceeds twenty, so the red notebook is more expensive. The other options reverse the price relation. Check both the order of the items and the adjective.
Listen for a fresh detail
- Listen before revealing the script.
- Replay if you need to. This is practice: if playback is unavailable, use the script as reading and return to listening on a device with Mandarin playback.
Show the listening script and meaning
this这个cup杯子十块钱，that那个十五块coin钱。this这个than, comparison比that那个cheap / inexpensive便宜。
This cup costs ten yuan and that one fifteen. This one is cheaper.
Which is cheaper in the recording?
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十块 is less than 十五块, so 这个 is cheaper.
Read a different account
red (color)红色(modifier / structural particle)的cup杯子二十块coin钱，blue (color)蓝色(modifier / structural particle)的cup杯子十五块coin钱。red (color)红色(modifier / structural particle)的than, comparison比blue (color)蓝色(modifier / structural particle)的expensive贵，but但是林安more更to like喜欢red (color)红色。
- The reading and listening have different details. Use the material for the question you are answering.
- Read once for the situation, then again for the relevant detail. Reveal help when needed.
Show the reading meaning
The red cup costs twenty yuan and the blue one fifteen. Red is more expensive, but Lin An prefers red.
Why might Lin An still choose the red cup?
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更喜欢红色 states a preference despite the higher price.
Read: 大杯子二十块钱，小杯子十五块钱。林安更喜欢小杯子。杯子 means cup. Which account preserves cost and preference?
Difficulty 1/5 · 100 coins + a small bonus on first completion today
The small cup costs fifteen versus twenty for the large one, so it costs less. 更喜欢小杯子 names Lin An’s preference for the small cup. The other choices change either the price relation or the preferred item; her reason is not stated.
Speak, write, and review
- Compare two fictional cups by price. Ask which colour a partner prefers.
- Record yourself privately or work with a partner. First try without the model, then compare the meaning and structure; a text checker cannot assess your pronunciation.
A: red (color)红色(modifier / structural particle)的than, comparison比blue (color)蓝色(modifier / structural particle)的expensive贵。you你to like喜欢what什么colour颜色？ B: I / me我to like喜欢blue (color)蓝色。
- Write a comparison and then a preference.
- Tomorrow, recall a price comparison and rewrite the same relation from the other item’s perspective. Later, change both prices and the person’s preference. Explain which claims concern cost and which concern choice.
Describe a difference and ask about the preferred item. Use the examples as support, then try a fresh version. Completing these exercises records practice, not a guarantee of mastery.
Practise this unit’s words and skills · Choose the next guided unit
Write a comparison and then a preference.
Compare the meaning and structure with the checklist. Your own response may differ from the model.
Use Mandarin for the new sentences or dialogue. You may explain your reasoning in English. Invent two items with different prices. Write one 比 comparison and a fictional customer’s preference. Ask which item costs more and which the customer prefers. Give a possible preference that does not simply follow the price. Speak the questions and replies or write both roles.
If your adjective contradicts the prices, compare the numbers again and reverse either the item order or the adjective as needed. If you inferred preference from price, add an explicit preference statement instead.