跟 … 比(起来) (compared with …)
IntroducedA comparison needs a named baseline
- You compare this year's summer with last year's.
- with跟last year去年compare比，this year今年even more更hot热。 — last year去年 is the baseline; this year今年 is the period being evaluated.
You compare this year's summer with last year's. What does 跟去年比，今年更热。 communicate?
去年 is the baseline; 今年 is the period being evaluated. 跟去年比起来 also works. A changed baseline can change the claim; hotter than last year does not mean hotter than every year on record.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is with跟 … compare比((after a verb) indicating…起来) (compared with …). 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.
with跟last year去年compare比，this year今年even more更hot热。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: Compared with last year, this year is hotter: ____ 去年比，今年更热。
跟 + N1 + 比，N2 … names the baseline first: 跟去年比,今年更热.
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, with跟last year去年compare比，this year今年even more更hot热。: last year去年 is the baseline; this year今年 is the period being evaluated.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
What does 跟 … 比 introduce?
跟 + N1 + 比 sets the baseline; the second clause says how N2 differs.
Build: “Compared with last year, this year is hotter.”
跟 + N1 + 比，N2 + …: 跟去年比 + 今年 + 更热.
Know the boundary
- with跟last year去年compare比(after a verb) indicating…起来 also works.
- A changed baseline can change the claim; hotter than last year does not mean hotter than every year on record.
The 起来 in 比起来 is required — you must include it.
起来 is optional: 跟去年比 and 跟去年比起来 mean the same.
今年更热 proves that this is the hottest summer in history.
跟去年比起来 also works. A changed baseline can change the claim; hotter than last year does not mean hotter than every year on record. 去年 is the baseline; 今年 is the period being evaluated.
Use the distinction
- last year去年 is the baseline; this year今年 is the period being evaluated.
- with跟last year去年compare比(after a verb) indicating…起来 also works. A changed baseline can change the claim; hotter than last year does not mean hotter than every year on record.
Read the full reference: HSK 3 grammar — Comparison patterns.
You compare this year's summer with last year's. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.