比
compare, race, ratio, Philippines
Readings
On'yomi
- ヒ
Kun'yomi
- くら.べる
Nanori
- い
- ぴっ
Meaning
比 centers on placing two things side by side to examine their relationship: comparing, measuring a ratio, or competing in a race. The Philippines meaning is a phonetic abbreviation, not a conceptual extension.
Most common words using 比
20 of 232- 比べるくらべるN4
to compare; to make a comparison (between)
- 比較ひかくN3
comparison
- 比ひN1
ratio; proportion
- 比較的ひかくてきN2
comparatively; relatively
- 比率ひりつN1
ratio; proportion; percentage
- 比例ひれいN1
proportion
- 恵比寿えびす
Ebisu; god of fishing and commerce
- 対比たいひN1
contrast; juxtaposition
- 比喩ひゆN1
simile; metaphor; allegory; parable
- 比べくらべ
contest; comparison; competition
- 比重ひじゅうN1
specific gravity; relative density
- 阿比あび
red-throated loon (Gavia stellata)
- 比べ物くらべもの
comparison; something worthy of comparison
- 日比谷線ひびやせん
Hibiya Line
- 比類ひるい
parallel; equal; match
- 比叡山ひえいざん
Mt. Hiei (in Kyoto)
- 反比例はんぴれいN2
inverse proportion
- 比するひする
to compare
- 無比むひ
peerless; unparalleled; unparallelled
- 見比べるみくらべるN1
to compare with the eye; to judge by comparison
Study
Etymology
比 is a pictograph of two people standing side by side, originally representing closeness or comparison. The modern form retains the two identical side-by-side shapes.
Meaning mnemonic
Picture two people standing side by side, like two identical 匕 shapes. You can compare their heights, race them, or measure their ratio.
Reading mnemonic
For ヒ, imagine two people comparing their heights and one says 'He is taller!' — the 'he' sound cues ヒ.