Explore 比 in words for comparison and proportion. Learn each reading in a complete word and context.

The idea

比 has four strokes; follow the linked diagram. 比べる is read くらべる, while 比較, 比率 and 比例 use ひ in compounds. 比べる takes the things compared with を or と; 〜に比べて marks the reference point.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingExample in context
比べるくらべるI compared the prices of the two shops.
比較ひかくLet’s compare the two plans.
比率ひりつThe proportion of women on the team is high.
比例ひれいThe cost is proportional to the quantity.

Examples

  • 二ふたつの店みせの値段ねだんを比くらべました。I compared the prices of the two shops.
  • 去年きょねんに比くらべて、訪問者ほうもんしゃの数かずが増ふえました。Compared with last year, the number of visitors has increased.
  • 二ふたつの案あんを比較ひかくしましょう。Let’s compare the two plans.
  • チームの女性じょせいの比率ひりつは高たかいです。The proportion of women on the team is high.
  • 費用ひようは数量すうりょうに比例ひれいします。The cost is proportional to the quantity.
  • このかばんは比較的ひかくてき軽かるいです。This bag is relatively light.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

比べる is a verb, whereas 比較 is a noun that can combine with する. 比較的 means relatively, not an absolute judgment; 比率 is a ratio, not a comparison itself.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 比べる in hiragana.

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    くらべる

    比べる is くらべる. The two shops’ prices are the things being compared.

  2. Write the reading of 比較 in hiragana.

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    ひかく

    比較 is ひかく; 比較する means to compare. Remember the compound as a whole.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: ＿率（ひりつ）［比／北］.

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    比

    比 completes 比率（ひりつ）, meaning a ratio or proportion; 北 is a different character.

Use it today

Write 比 using the stroke diagram, then compare two plans aloud using 比べる. Cover the table and recall the readings.