Comparative Sentences 3: Equality and Inferiority
比较句3
Express equality with 跟……一样 and inferiority with 不如
Pattern 1: A 跟 B 一样 means A and B are the same. Pattern 2: A 跟 B 一样 + adjective means A is equally [adjective] as B. Pattern 3: A 不如 B means A is not as good as B — a polite way of saying B is better.
跟……一样 expresses equality or sameness. The negative 不一样 means "different." 不如 is a softer, more literary way of saying A is inferior to B.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Comparative Sentences 3: Equality and Inferiority (比较句3)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 比较句3 pattern
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Understanding 比较句3
So far you have learned 比 comparisons (A is more than B). Now you will learn to say things are the same and to express the opposite — that A falls short of B. The 跟……一样 pattern is your equality tool: 我的爱好跟姐姐一样 (My hobbies are the same as my sister's). Add an adjective and it means "equally": 姐姐跟妹妹一样可爱 (The older sister is just as cute as the younger sister). The negative 不一样 means "different": 哥哥和弟弟不一样高 (The brothers are not equally tall). Then there is 不如, which is elegant and understated: 我的中文成绩不如班长 means "My Chinese grades are not as good as the class leader's." It is a humble, polite way to acknowledge someone else is better. Chinese culture values modesty, so 不如 is a very useful word — you will hear it in self-deprecating compliments and humble assessments.
Key Points
- A 跟 B 一样 = "A is the same as B": 我的爱好跟姐姐一样.
- A 跟 B 相同 = "A is identical to B": 他的想法跟我相同 (more formal).
- A 跟 B 一样 + adjective = "A is equally [adj] as B": 姐姐跟妹妹一样可爱.
- Negative: A 跟 B 不一样 = "A and B are different."
- A 跟 B 不一样 + adjective: 哥哥和弟弟不一样高 (not equally tall).
- A 不如 B = "A is not as good as B" — modest, literary tone.
- A 不如 B + adjective = "A is not as [adj] as B": 火车不如飞机快.
- 和 can replace 跟 in most cases: A 和 B 一样 is equally correct.
Using 不如 to describe yourself shows humility, a highly valued trait in Chinese culture. Saying 我不如你 (I am not as good as you) is a gracious way to acknowledge someone else's strengths. It is more refined than using 比 to say "you are better than me."
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
我的爱好跟姐姐一样。
My hobbies are the same as my sister's.
他的想法跟我相同。
His idea is identical to mine.
More formal
姐姐跟妹妹一样可爱。
The older sister is just as cute as the younger sister.
哥哥和弟弟不一样高。
The older brother and younger brother are not equally tall.
我的中文成绩不如班长。
My Chinese grades are not as good as the class leader's.
Modest self-assessment
火车不如飞机快。
Trains are not as fast as planes.
今天跟昨天一样热。
Today is just as hot as yesterday.
我的手机不如你的好用。
My phone is not as easy to use as yours.
Common Mistakes
Do not add 的 between 一样 and the adjective. It should be 一样 + adjective directly.
不如 and 比 are two different comparison structures. Do not mix them — use one or the other.
The noun being compared should be the subject. "His idea" is the thing that is different, so it comes first.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
跟……一样 is your equality tool — use it whenever two things are the same.
不如 is your modesty tool — perfect for being humble about yourself or gently comparing things.
Remember: 一样 + adjective (no 的 in between). This is a common mistake to avoid.
Practice three-way comparisons: 比 (more than), 跟……一样 (equal to), 不如 (less than).
Homework
Write four sentences using 跟……一样 (things that are equal), three sentences using 跟……一样 + adjective (equally [adjective]), and three sentences using 不如 (humble comparisons about yourself or things around you).