How to Write 比 (bǐ) — Meaning “To compare / Than”

Imagine two people standing side by side to compare their heights. The two identical halves of 比 look like two persons or two objects being compared, which matches the meaning 'to compare'.

Write the left half first: a left-falling stroke (丿), then a horizontal stroke (一). Then write the right half the same way: left-falling then horizontal, for a total of 4 strokes. A common mistake is making the two halves too far apart or different sizes; keep them close and balanced.

The character 毕 (bì) has the same upper part 比 but adds a horizontal line (十) at the bottom. While 比 means 'to compare' or 'than', 毕 means 'to finish' or 'complete'. The extra stroke below is the key visual difference.

比 is used in comparisons, for example 'A比B大' (A is bigger than B). It also appears in common words like 比赛 (competition) and 比如 (for example). In Chinese culture, direct comparisons can be seen as impolite, so 比 is often used in neutral or factual contexts.

Common words containing 比 include: 比较 (bǐ jiào) — To compare; relatively; 比赛 (bǐ sài) — Competition / Match; 比如 (bǐ rú) — For example.