When do I use 比 vs 还 in comparisons?

Use 比 for a basic comparison ('A is more X than B'). Add 还 after 比 to mean 'even more X than B', often with a sense of surprise. 比 is always required for the comparison structure; 还 only intensifies it.

Can I use 还 instead of 比 to make a comparison?

No. 还 by itself cannot establish a comparison. You need 比 to form 'A 比 B + adjective'. To add emphasis, use 'A 比 B 还 + adjective'.

What's the difference between 比…还 and 比…更?

Both mean 'even more', but 更 is neutral and objective, while 还 often carries a subjective tone of surprise or exceeding expectations. Example: '他比我更聪明' (he is even smarter) is neutral; '他比我还聪明' (he is even smarter than me) implies I already considered myself smart, so his intelligence is surprising.

Does 还 in 'A比B还' mean 'still'?

No. In this pattern, 还 means 'even more'. The 'still' meaning occurs when 还 is used with a verb, e.g., '他还吃' (he is still eating). The two uses are distinct and context-dependent.

Easily confusedHSK 4

比 vs 还 (bǐ vs hái): comparison and intensification in Chinese

比 (bǐ) is the standard way to form comparisons ('A is more X than B'), while 还 (hái) inside the pattern 'A 比 B 还 + adjective' intensifies the comparison, meaning 'even more (surprisingly)'. Understanding that 比 is mandatory for the comparison structure and 还 adds a subjective sense of 'even more' is key to using them correctly.

In Chinese, 比 (bǐ) is the core preposition for making comparisons, forming the pattern 'A 比 B + adjective' to say 'A is more [adjective] than B'. The adverb 还 (hái) can be inserted after 比 in this pattern to create 'A 比 B 还 + adjective', which means 'A is even more [adjective] than B', often with an implication of surprise or exceeding expectations. Crucially, 还 cannot replace 比; it only intensifies a comparison that 比 has already established. The two words serve different grammatical roles: 比 is a preposition that introduces the standard of comparison, while 还 is an adverb that modifies the degree.

Когда что использовать

比bǐ

compared to

Use 比 to directly compare two items in the structure 'A 比 B + adjective/verb'. It is the standard way to express that one thing has a higher degree than another. 比 is required whenever you want to say 'A is more X than B'.

还hái

even more

Use 还 after 比 in the pattern 'A 比 B 还 + adjective' to emphasize that A is even more [adjective] than B, often with a sense of surprise or beyond what is expected. 还 cannot be used alone to make a comparison; it must follow 比. Note: 还 has other meanings (e.g., 'still', 'also')—do not confuse them.

The intensifier 还 in this pattern implies a subjective judgement that the degree is unexpectedly high, whereas 更 (gèng) is a more neutral 'even more' without the surprise connotation.

Кратко

	比	还
Function	Introduces the standard of comparison (A is more X than B)	Intensifies the degree within an existing comparison (even more X than B)
Position in sentence	Between the two items being compared: A 比 B + adjective	After 比 and before the adjective: A 比 B 还 + adjective
Can be used alone?	Yes, 比 forms a comparison by itself	No, 还 alone cannot make a comparison; it must follow 比 in this context
Implied meaning	Neutral comparison of degree	Adds emphasis of 'even more' often with surprise or exceeding a norm
Negation	Use 没有 (méiyǒu) instead of 比: A 没有 B + adjective	Not used in negated comparisons; 还 never appears after 没有

Примеры

比
他比我高。
Tā bǐ wǒ gāo.
He is taller than me.
Standard comparison using 比; 还 is not needed.
还
他比我还高。
Tā bǐ wǒ hái gāo.
He is even taller than me (surprisingly so).
Using 还 to emphasize the degree is unexpectedly high.
比
这个城市比那个城市大。
Zhè ge chéng shì bǐ nà ge chéng shì dà.
This city is bigger than that city.
Neutral comparison.
还
这个城市比那个城市还大。
Zhè ge chéng shì bǐ nà ge chéng shì hái dà.
This city is even bigger than that city (to an unexpected degree).
Intensifies the comparison, often implying the speaker finds it surprising.
还
✗他还高。
✗ Tā hái gāo.
✗ He still tall. (Incorrect for comparison)
Wrong usage: 还 alone cannot mean 'more than'. The correct version: 他比我高 or 他比我还高.
比
她比我更聪明。
Tā bǐ wǒ gèng cōng ming.
She is even more intelligent than me (neutral 'even more').
Using 更 (gèng) instead of 还 for a neutral intensifier; both are correct but 还 adds surprise.

Частые ошибки

Using 还 alone to mean 'more than', e.g., '他还高' to say 'he is taller' — must use 比 or 比...还.
Omitting 比 when making a comparison and using 还 incorrectly: '他还大' instead of '他比我大' or '他比我还大'.
Confusing 还 (in this pattern) with 还 meaning 'still' (e.g., '他还在这里' = he is still here). Context disambiguates.
Using 还 with 没有 in negated comparisons: 'A没有B还大' is wrong. Use only 'A没有B大'.

Частые вопросы

When do I use 比 vs 还 in comparisons?: Use 比 for a basic comparison ('A is more X than B'). Add 还 after 比 to mean 'even more X than B', often with a sense of surprise. 比 is always required for the comparison structure; 还 only intensifies it.
Can I use 还 instead of 比 to make a comparison?: No. 还 by itself cannot establish a comparison. You need 比 to form 'A 比 B + adjective'. To add emphasis, use 'A 比 B 还 + adjective'.
What's the difference between 比…还 and 比…更?: Both mean 'even more', but 更 is neutral and objective, while 还 often carries a subjective tone of surprise or exceeding expectations. Example: '他比我更聪明' (he is even smarter) is neutral; '他比我还聪明' (he is even smarter than me) implies I already considered myself smart, so his intelligence is surprising.
Does 还 in 'A比B还' mean 'still'?: No. In this pattern, 还 means 'even more'. The 'still' meaning occurs when 还 is used with a verb, e.g., '他还吃' (he is still eating). The two uses are distinct and context-dependent.