比
Belgium; Belgian; euphemistic variant of 屄[bi1]; to compare; (followed by a noun and adjective) more {adj.} than {noun}; ratio; to gesture; (Taiwan pr. [bi4] in some compounds derived from Classical Chinese)
Closest English meanings
compare·than·ratio
The Calligrapher — Shì Yànxiū 释彦修
Five Dynasties monk whose cursive follows Zhang Xu, seen in his Luoyang poems stele.
Five Dynasties calligrapher (), master of cursive script — known for 《草书诗》. Five Dynasties period
Cultural Story
比 shows two people side by side, 'to compare.' The 說文解字 says '密也', close together, and 比 also meant 'to ally, to join.' In the 詩經, 比 is one of the three poetic modes (比興賦) — metaphor set against metaphor. 論語 uses 比 to mean associating with others in friendship or in conduct.
Common words & phrases
- 比较 compare · comparison · relatively
- 比例 proportion · ratio · scale
- 比如 for example · for instance
- 比赛 competition · match · contest
- 对比 contrast · compare
Read the story behind the character
比 organizes modern judgment: we 比較 (compare) phone prices, worry about the 比例 (ratio) of rent to income, and say 比如 (for example) to clarify a point. Weekends bring a 比賽 (competition) on TV, and couples 對比 (contrast) apartments before signing. Life is a steady stream of measuring one thing against another.
Own this character
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