比
Meanings
Used for mathematical ratios, proportions, and rates. Also common as a suffix in compound terms like 男女比 (male-to-female ratio).
The male-to-female ratio at this school is 3 to 2.
Profit margin is calculated as the ratio of profit to sales.
Refers to comparing things or being comparable. Often used in set phrases like 比べる (to compare) or 比にならない (no match for).
His ability is beyond comparison with last year.
When you compare the two, there is a clear difference.
compared with; relative to
Suffix use attaching to nouns to mean 'compared to' or 'relative to'. Common in formal or technical contexts.
Sales increased by 10% compared to the previous year.
Philippines (abbreviation)
Abbreviation for 比律賓 (フィリピン), used mainly in compounds like 日比 (Japan-Philippines). Rare as a standalone word.
See also: フィリピン
比 is an abbreviation for the Philippines.
explicit comparison (Shi Jing style)
Technical term from Chinese poetics, referring to one of the six principles (六義) of the Shi Jing. Extremely rare outside classical studies.
See also: 六義
One of the six principles of the Shi Jing is 'explicit comparison' (比).
Usage patterns
- 〈数〉対〈数〉の比a ratio of X to Y
In this recipe, the ratio of water to flour is 2 to 1.
- 〈時〉比でcompared with a given time period
Sales increased by 10% compared to the previous year.
- 〈物〉の比が高い／低いthe proportion of 〈thing〉 is high/low
This school has a high proportion of international students.
Expressions· 7
- 前年同月比year-on-year same-month comparison
- 比ではないno match for; cannot compare with
- 比を求めるobtain the ratio; find the ratio
- 比を見ないunique; unrivaled; without parallel
- 比類のないunparalleled; incomparable; matchless
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- 比較にならないincomparable; beyond comparison; in another league
- 君子は周して比せず小人は比して周せずA wise man keeps wide company; a fool joins a clique.