Comparisons with 比起
比起 
is used to compare two objects.
This structure is often used:
is used to compare two objects.
This structure is often used:Scheme
比起
A
(来)
B
difference
Pay attention
来 can be omitted.
can be omitted.The focus here is on the difference between "B" and "A".
Examples
比起北京，杭州的物价便宜多了
Compared to Beijing, Hangzhou’s prices are lower
bǐqǐ běijīng, hángzhōu de wùjià piányi duō le
比起你们，我的成绩还差得远呢
Compared to you, my grades leave much to be desired
bǐqǐ nǐmen, wǒ de chéngjī hái chà de yuǎn ne
比起跑步来，我更喜欢游泳
I prefer swimming to running
bǐ qǐ pǎobù lái, wǒ gèng xǐhuan yóuyǒng
The structure is sometimes used with following prepositions with the meaning of "with": 与 , 和 , 跟 , 同 .
In this case, 来 is placed right after 比起. The structure looks like this:
, 和 , 跟 , 同 .
In this case, 来 is placed right after 比起. The structure looks like this:Scheme
preposition
A
比起来
B
difference
Pay attention
In this case, 来 cannot be omitted.
Examples
和你的倒霉事比起来，我的操心事算不了什么
Compared to your problems, my worries are nothing
hé nǐ de dǎoméi shì bǐqǐlái, wǒ de cāoxīn shì suànbuliǎo shénme
跟钱比起来，截肢才是大问题
Money doesn’t seem like such a big problem anymore when having to deal with an amputation
gēn qián bĭqĭlái jiézhī cái shì dà wèntí
与这儿比起来，那里的酒与食物都很便宜
Compared to this place, wine and food are cheaper at the other place
yǔ zhèr bǐqǐlái, nàli de jiǔ yǔ shíwù dōu hěn piányi
If context makes the objects being compared obvious, then the objects being compared don’t need to be stated separately.
Scheme
A
preposition
B
比起来
difference
Examples
我的手机和你的比起来好大喔
My phone is bigger than yours
wǒ de shǒujī hé nǐ de bǐqǐlái hào dà ō
这个同那个比起来显得小多了
It looks a lot smaller than that
zhè ge tóng nà ge bǐqǐlái xiǎnde xiǎo duō le
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