Contrast, comparison and degree

～に比べて

compared to ~; in comparison with ~

AI-written, reviewed by AI (ChatGPT)

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How to form it

  • Noun + に比べて / に比べると
  • Verb / い-adjective (plain form) + のに比べて
  • な-adjective + なのに比べて

Register: Neutral

Explanation

Compares one thing with a standard or another thing.

The thing that follows is described in relation to the comparison. より is simpler; に比べて suits written and neutral speech.

Examples

  1. 去年に比べて、今年は雪が少ない。

    きょねんにくらべて、ことしはゆきがすくない。

    Compared with last year, there is less snow this year.

  2. 東京は、地方に比べると、家賃が高い。

    とうきょうは、ちほうにくらべると、やちんがたかい。

    Rent is higher in Tokyo than in the regions.

  3. 姉に比べて、私は背が低い。

    あねにくらべて、わたしはせがひくい。

    Compared with my older sister, I am short.

  4. 昔に比べると、町はとても便利になった。

    むかしにくらべると、まちはとてもべんりになった。

    Compared with the past, the town has become very convenient.

Compare with

  • ～に対して: に対して sets up a contrast of two facts; に比べて compares one thing to a standard.
  • ～ほうが(比較): ほうが picks the one that is higher in degree.

Common mistakes

  • Using it for a simple contrast of two facts; に対して or は〜が is better.