比起 (bǐ qǐ) — compared to, in comparison with (introduces the…

Definition

比起 introduces the thing being compared against, meaning 'compared to / in comparison with'. It sets up the standard so a comparison (often with 更) follows. Pairs with 比 in comparisons but 比起 sounds more written.

verb

compared toin comparison with (introduces the standard of comparison)

Examples

比起，。
bǐ qǐ Dà chéng shì, wǒ gèng xǐ huan zhù xiǎo dì fāng.
Compared to big cities, I prefer living in small places.
比起，。
bǐ qǐ Qù nián, jīn nián de tiān qì nuǎn huo duō le.
Compared to last year, this year's weather is much warmer.
比起，。
bǐ qǐ Tā lái, wǒ kě chà yuǎn le.
Compared to him, I'm far worse.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

比bǐcompare

起qǐup

比 (compare) and 起 (up) together form the idea of bringing a comparison into view.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

匕匕bǐ
匕匕bǐ

比 is two 匕 placed side by side. Chu Wan-li treats both as sound parts, while an old reading takes the side-by-side arrangement as putting things next to each other.

Open 比 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

走巳起

Meaning part形符xíngfú

走走zǒu

Sound part声符shēngfú

巳

巳sì起qǐ

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

起 is made from 走 and 巳: 走 is the part connected with walking or running, and 巳 gives the sound.

Open 起 →