に比べてCompared with
に比べて introduces a reference point and frames the main statement as a comparison with it. The main clause then states the relevant difference or similarity.
How the comparison is organized
The noun or situation before に比べて is the reference point. The main statement describes the item being evaluated and must make the dimension of comparison clear: price, size, frequency, speed, and so on.
Clear comparison baselines
The same frame works naturally with times, groups, and products.
去年に比べて、今年の夏は雨が少ない。
Compared with last year, there has been less rain this summer.
AnalyzeThe time period is the baseline, and rainfall is the comparison dimension.
若い世代に比べて、高齢者は紙の新聞を読む割合が高い。
Compared with younger generations, a higher proportion of older people read print newspapers.
Analyze旧型と比べて、この機種は充電時間が短い。
Compared with the older model, this model takes less time to charge.
AnalyzeChoosing the particle
Both に比べて and と比べて establish a comparison. The first often presents the preceding item straightforwardly as a baseline, while the second can feel like placing two counterparts side by side. This is a tendency, not a fixed meaning rule; context and wording often matter more than the particle choice.
A common variant
紙の申請に比べると、オンライン申請は手続きが早い。
Compared with applying on paper, the online application process is quicker.
Analyzeに比べると often leads naturally into an observation or conclusion drawn from the comparison.
A fuller frame versus a compact particle
より compactly marks the baseline inside a comparison. に比べて is a fuller connective frame and more strongly signals that the whole following statement is being made through comparison. It is therefore particularly useful in explanatory writing and detailed comparisons.
More examples
平日に比べ、週末は来館者が多い。
Compared with weekdays, there are more visitors on weekends.
Analyze都市部に比べて、この町は家賃が安い。
Compared with urban areas, rents are low in this town.
Analyze一人で作業するのに比べて、チームで作業すると意見を集めやすい。
Compared with working alone, working in a team makes it easier to gather different opinions.
Analyze前のモデルに比べて、性能に大きな違いはない。
Compared with the previous model, there is no major difference in performance.
Analyze十年前に比べると、この地域には店が増えた。
Compared with ten years ago, there are more shops in this area.
Analyze昨年と比べて、海外からの注文が大幅に増えた。
Compared with last year, orders from overseas have increased substantially.
Analyze