～に比べて
Compare something with a reference point
You’ll be able to compare something with a stated reference and describe the difference you notice.
山の上に比べて、ここはとても暖かいです。
yama no ue ni kurabete, koko wa totemo atatakai desu.
What do you think this sentence means?
Compared to up on the mountain, it is very warm here.
Compare two things directly
～に比べて means “compared with.” Put the reference point before に比べて, then describe the difference in the item you are discussing.
兄に比べて、弟はよく話します。
ani ni kurabete, otouto wa yoku hanashimasu.
Compared with his older brother, the younger brother talks more.
東京に比べて、この町は物が安いです。
toukyou ni kurabete, kono machi wa mono ga yasui desu.
Compared with Tokyo, things are cheaper in this town.
Name the comparison standard
Attach に比べて to a noun. The main statement usually gives a contrasting quality, amount, or condition. ～と比べて is also used with the same basic meaning.
電車に比べて、バスは時間がかかります。
densha ni kurabete, basu wa jikan ga kakarimasu.
Compared with the train, the bus takes more time.
～より vs ～に比べて
Both compare two things. ～より is the everyday “than”; ～に比べて sets up a reference point and draws attention to the contrast, and is common in reports and writing.
～より, than
昨日より今日は暖かいです。
kinou yori kyou wa atatakai desu.
Today is warmer than yesterday.
A plain, everyday comparison.
～に比べて, compared with
昨日に比べて、今日は暖かいです。
kinou ni kurabete, kyou wa atatakai desu.
Compared with yesterday, today is warmer.
Holds yesterday up as the standard and highlights how today differs.
去年に比べて、今年は野菜の値段が高い。
kyonen ni kurabete, kotoshi wa yasai no nedan ga takai.
Compared with last year, vegetable prices are high this year.
飛行機に比べて、新幹線は駅が町の中心にあるので便利です。
hikouki ni kurabete, shinkansen wa eki ga machi no chuushin ni aru node benri desu.
Compared with flying, the bullet train is convenient because its stations are in the city center.
以前に比べて、体重が五キロ増えました。
izen ni kurabete, taijuu ga go kiro fuemashita.
Compared with before, my weight has gone up by five kilos.
7 more examples in the grammar path — free for a limited time.