HSK 4 Grammar

HSK 4 比较句 — Comparison Patterns

Master all 5 comparison patterns across HSK 2-5 with an interactive balance-scale tool, error correction, and comprehensive quizzes.

5
Patterns
4
HSK Levels
30+
Exercises
HSK Level Progression / 等级递进
HSK 2 — 2 Foundation Patterns

① A + 比 + B + adj  →  他比我高。(He is taller than me.)
② A + 有/没有 + B + (这么/那么) + adj  →  她没有你那么漂亮。(She is not as pretty as you.)

HSK 3 — 2 Additional Patterns

③ A + 跟 + B + 一样 + (adj)  →  我的手机跟你的一样大。(My phone is as big as yours.)
④ A + 不比 + B + adj  →  今天不比昨天冷。(Today is not colder than yesterday.)

HSK 4 — 2 New Patterns (This Page)

⑤ A + 不如 + B + (adj)  →  我的中文不如他的好。(My Chinese is not as good as his.)
⑥ 跟 + B + 相比, A...  →  跟去年相比，今年更热了。(Compared with last year, this year is hotter.)

HSK 5 — 1 Advanced Pattern

⑦ A + adj + B + 数量补语  →  他比我大三岁。(He is three years older than me.)

This pattern adds a specific quantity to express the exact degree of difference in a comparison.

Sentence Anatomy / 句子解剖
我的中文 不如 他的 好
A (Subject)
Comparison Word
B (Standard)
Adjective
A + 比较词 + B + Adjective
HSK2-1 A + 比 + B + adj "A is more adj than B"
他比我高。
Tā bǐ wǒ gāo.
He is taller than me.
今天比昨天热。
Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān rè.
Today is hotter than yesterday.
HSK2-2 A + 有/没有 + B + (这么/那么) + adj "A is / isn't as adj as B"
她没有你那么漂亮。
Tā méiyǒu nǐ nàme piàoliang.
She is not as pretty as you.
这本书有那本书那么有意思吗？
Zhè běn shū yǒu nà běn shū nàme yǒu yìsi ma?
Is this book as interesting as that one?
HSK3-1 A + 跟 + B + 一样 + (adj) "A is the same as B"
我的手机跟你的一样大。
Wǒ de shǒujī gēn nǐ de yīyàng dà.
My phone is as big as yours.
他跟他爸爸一样高。
Tā gēn tā bàba yīyàng gāo.
He is as tall as his father.
HSK3-2 A + 不比 + B + adj "A is not more adj than B"
今天不比昨天冷。
Jīntiān bù bǐ zuótiān lěng.
Today is not colder than yesterday (could be the same or warmer).
我的成绩不比他的差。
Wǒ de chéngjì bù bǐ tā de chà.
My grades are not worse than his (could be the same or better).
HSK 4 New Patterns / HSK4 新句型
Pattern 5 A + 不如 + B (+ adj) "not as good as"
我的中文不如他的好。
Wǒ de zhōngwén bùrú tā de hǎo.
My Chinese is not as good as his.
坐公交车不如坐地铁方便。
Zuò gōngjiāo chē bùrú zuò dìtiě fāngbiàn.
Taking the bus is not as convenient as taking the subway.
这家饭馆不如那家好吃。
Zhè jiā fànguǎn bùrú nà jiā hǎochī.
This restaurant is not as tasty as that one.
✗ 我的中文不如比他的好。
✓ 我的中文不如他的好。
不如 already contains the comparison meaning. Do not add 比 after 不如 — they are separate comparison words and cannot be combined.
Pattern 6 跟 + B + 相比, A... "compared with"
跟去年相比，今年的天气更热了。
Gēn qùnián xiāngbǐ, jīnnián de tiānqì gèng rè le.
Compared with last year, this year's weather is hotter.
跟大城市相比，小城市的生活更安静。
Gēn dà chéngshì xiāngbǐ, xiǎo chéngshì de shēnghuó gèng ānjìng.
Compared with big cities, life in small cities is quieter.
跟坐飞机相比，坐火车更便宜。
Gēn zuò fēijī xiāngbǐ, zuò huǒchē gèng piányi.
Compared with flying, taking the train is cheaper.
✗ 跟去年相比今年更热。
✓ 跟去年相比，今年的天气更热了。
After 跟...相比, use a comma to separate the comparison context from the main clause. Be specific about what is being compared (天气, not just 今年), and use 了 to indicate change of state.
Key Distinction: 不如 vs 不比

不如 = "not as good as" — A is definitely inferior to B.
我的中文不如他的好。= My Chinese is definitely worse than his.

不比 = "not more than" — A is not necessarily better than B (could be equal or less).
我的中文不比他的差。= My Chinese is not worse than his (it might be the same or better).

不如 makes a clear judgment; 不比 simply negates a comparison without committing to a direction.

HSK 4 比较句练习 / Comparison Sentence Practice with Examples

Master each HSK 4 comparison pattern with real examples, common mistakes, and 12 fill-in-the-blank exercises in HSK 4 format. Use this section to lock in 比、不如、跟…一样、有/没有…那么、跟…相比 — all five 比较句 patterns tested at HSK 4.

Pattern 1: A 比 B + adj — Basic Comparison / 基础比较句

"A is more [adj] than B" — the foundational HSK 2-3 pattern still tested heavily at HSK 4.

✓ 哥哥比我高。 Gēge bǐ wǒ gāo. — "Older brother is taller than me."
✓ 北京的夏天比上海热。 Běijīng de xiàtiān bǐ Shànghǎi rè. — "Beijing's summer is hotter than Shanghai."
✗ 哥哥比我很高。 — Never use 很 with 比. Use 比 + adj alone, or 比 + adj + 一点儿/得多.

HSK 4 extension: Add quantity complement: 哥哥比我高三厘米 (3 cm taller), 哥哥比我大五岁 (5 years older), 这本书比那本贵十块钱.

Pattern 2: A 没有 B + 那么/这么 + adj — Negative Comparison / 否定比较

"A is not as [adj] as B." Negative form of comparison — uses 没有 + 那么/这么.

✓ 我没有他那么高。 Wǒ méiyǒu tā nàme gāo. — "I'm not as tall as him."
✓ 今年的冬天没有去年那么冷。 Jīnnián de dōngtiān méiyǒu qùnián nàme lěng. — "This year's winter is not as cold as last year's."
✗ 我不比他高。 — 不比 means "no more than" (≈), NOT "less than". To say "not as tall as" use 没有…那么…

Pattern 3: A 跟 B 一样 + adj — Equal Comparison / 等同比较

"A is as [adj] as B" — equality. Can also stand alone as "A is the same as B".

✓ 这件衣服跟那件一样贵。 Zhè jiàn yīfu gēn nà jiàn yíyàng guì. — "This dress is as expensive as that one."
✓ 他的中文跟中国人一样流利。 Tā de Zhōngwén gēn Zhōngguó rén yíyàng liúlì. — "His Chinese is as fluent as a native speaker's."
✗ 这件衣服跟那件很一样。 — Don't add 很 before 一样. 一样 already means "exactly the same".

Pattern 4: A 不如 B (+adj) — Inferior Comparison / 不如比较 HSK 4 NEW

"A is not as good as B" or "A is inferior to B in [adj]" — a new HSK 4 comparison pattern that emphasizes inferiority.

✓ 我的中文不如你的好。 Wǒ de Zhōngwén bùrú nǐ de hǎo. — "My Chinese is not as good as yours."
✓ 坐火车不如坐飞机快。 Zuò huǒchē bùrú zuò fēijī kuài. — "Taking the train isn't as fast as taking a plane."
✓ 这家饭店的菜不如那家。 Zhè jiā fàndiàn de cài bùrú nà jiā. — "This restaurant's food isn't as good as that one's." (adjective omitted = "isn't as good as")

Key: Without an adjective, 不如 implies "not as good". With an adjective, it specifies the dimension of inferiority.

Pattern 5: 跟…相比 — Comparative Reference / 相比比较 HSK 4 NEW

"Compared with…" — a new HSK 4 pattern that introduces a reference point. Often used at the start of a sentence with 比起来.

✓ 跟去年相比，今年的销售额增加了百分之三十。 Gēn qùnián xiāng bǐ, jīnnián de xiāoshòu'é zēngjiā le bǎi fēn zhī sān shí. — "Compared with last year, this year's sales have increased by 30%."
✓ 跟城市相比，农村的生活更安静。 Gēn chéngshì xiāng bǐ, nóngcūn de shēnghuó gèng ānjìng. — "Compared with the city, life in the countryside is quieter."

HSK 4 use: Often appears in HSK 4 reading passages discussing trends, statistics, and lifestyle comparisons.

12 比较句填空练习 / Fill-in-the-Blank Practice

Select the correct comparison word for each HSK 4 sentence. Click to see the answer and explanation.

1. 这件衣服 ___ 那件贵 50 块钱。

Answer: 比 — "比 + B + adj + 数量 (quantity)" expresses the difference. 这件衣服比那件贵 50 块钱.

2. 我的中文 ___ 他的好。

Answer: 不如 — "我的中文不如他的好" = "My Chinese isn't as good as his." 不如 expresses inferiority. (HSK 4 new pattern)

3. 妹妹的房间 ___ 我的一样大。

Answer: 跟 — Pattern: A 跟 B 一样 + adj. 妹妹的房间跟我的一样大 = "My sister's room is as big as mine."

4. 今年夏天 ___ 去年那么热。

Answer: 没有 — Pattern: A 没有 B 那么 + adj. 今年夏天没有去年那么热 = "This summer is not as hot as last year's."

5. ___ 上个月相比，这个月的工作压力大多了。

Answer: 跟 — HSK 4 pattern: 跟…相比. 跟上个月相比，这个月的工作压力大多了 = "Compared with last month, work pressure is much greater this month."

6. 我比他大 ___。

Answer: 三岁 — 比 + B + adj + 数量. The blank is a quantity complement: 我比他大三岁 = "I'm three years older than him."

7. 这部电影 ___ 上一部好看。

Answer: 不如 — 这部电影不如上一部好看 = "This movie isn't as good as the previous one." HSK 4 inferiority comparison.

8. 哥哥的字 ___ 我的字漂亮 ___。

Answer: 比 / 得多 — 哥哥的字比我的字漂亮得多. 比 + adj + 得多 = "much more [adj]". HSK 4 standard intensifier for 比 sentences.

9. 他说汉语说得 ___ 中国人差不多。

Answer: 跟 — 跟…差不多 = "almost the same as". 他说汉语说得跟中国人差不多 = "His spoken Chinese is almost like a native speaker's." Cousin pattern of 跟…一样.

10. 坐高铁 ___ 坐飞机方便。

Answer: 比 or 不如 — Both are valid: 坐高铁比坐飞机方便 (high-speed rail is more convenient than flying) OR 坐高铁不如坐飞机方便 (high-speed rail isn't as convenient as flying). The choice depends on what you mean.

11. 这种水果的味道 ___ 那种 ___。

Answer: 跟 / 一样 — 这种水果的味道跟那种一样 = "These fruits taste the same as those." Equality comparison.

12. 跟 30 年前 ___，现在的生活方便多了。

Answer: 相比 — 跟 30 年前相比，现在的生活方便多了 = "Compared with 30 years ago, life today is much more convenient." Classic HSK 4 reading passage opener.

📝 HSK 4 比较句 quick takeaway: Master 5 patterns — 比 (more than), 没有…那么 (less than), 跟…一样 (equal), 不如 (inferior, HSK 4 new), 跟…相比 (compared with, HSK 4 new). Most HSK 4 fill-in-the-blank Q46-55 comparison questions use one of these five.

Visual Balance / 比较天平

Select A, B, a comparison type, and an adjective. The scale tilts to show the relationship, and a sentence is generated below.

我
A
你
B

Error Spotting / 纠错练习

Is this comparison sentence correct or incorrect? Judge each sentence.

Comprehensive Quiz / 综合测试 (12 questions)

他我高。
A比B+adj: 他比我高 = He is taller than me. 比 introduces a direct comparison where A exceeds B.
坐公交车坐地铁方便。
A不如B+adj: Taking the bus is not as convenient as the subway. 不如 means A falls short of B.
我的手机你的一样大。
A跟B一样+adj: My phone is as big as yours. 跟...一样 expresses equality between A and B.
Which sentence correctly uses 不如?
A不如B+adj: 这个办法不如那个好 = This method is not as good as that one. 不如 cannot be combined with 比, and requires both A and B.
去年相比，今年的工资更高了。
跟+B+相比 structure: 跟去年相比，今年的工资更高了 = Compared with last year, this year's salary is higher.
What does 不比 imply that 不如 does not?
不比 simply negates "A is more than B", meaning A could be equal or less. 不如 definitively states A is inferior to B. That ambiguity (A might be equal) is what distinguishes 不比.
她没有你漂亮。
A没有B+那么+adj: 她没有你那么漂亮 = She is not as pretty as you. 那么 (or 这么) is commonly used with 没有 in comparisons.
Which sentence is INCORRECT?
In 比 sentences, you cannot use 很 before the adjective. Say 他比我高 or 他比我高得多, but never 他比我很高. The 比 structure itself implies a degree difference.
跟坐飞机相比，坐火车便宜。
In 跟...相比 sentences, use 更 (even more) to express the comparison result, not 很 (very) or 比. The comparison context is already set by 跟...相比.
今天不比昨天冷。This means:
不比 negates the comparison without specifying the exact relationship. 今天不比昨天冷 means today is not colder — it could be the same temperature or warmer.
他跟他爸爸一样。
After 一样, use a bare adjective without 很 or 更. 他跟他爸爸一样高 = He is as tall as his father. Degree adverbs are not used with 一样+adj.
Choose the correct translation: "This restaurant is not as tasty as that one."
"Not as tasty as" = A is definitively inferior, which matches 不如. 比 would mean "more than", 不比 would be ambiguous, and 一样 would mean "the same".
Related / 相关内容
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把字句 Ba-Sentence
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Other HSK 4 Grammar Topics

把字句 Ba-Sentence 被字句 Passive 补语 Complements 复句 Complex Sentences 副词 Adverbs 虚词 Function Words 兼语句 Pivotal Sentences 固定搭配 Fixed Patterns 修辞 Rhetorical 量词 Measure Words

Review the full HSK 4 vocabulary (1000 words), common HSK 4 confusable word pairs (43), and sentence ordering exercises. For test-day reading, see all 9 HSK 4 strategy guides.