N3 Contrast, Comparison, and Concession

~に比くらべて: meaning, usage and examples

~に比くらべて means: compared to...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 今年ことしは去年きょねんに比くらべて、雨あめの量りょうが多おおい。

   Compared to last year, we've had more rain this year.

2. 東京とうきょうに比くらべて、私わたしの町まちは静しずかです。

   Compared to Tokyo, my town is quiet.

3. 兄あにに比くらべて、私わたしは背せが低ひくいです。

   Compared to my older brother, I'm short.

4. 電車でんしゃはバスに比くらべて、時間じかんが正確せいかくです。

   Compared to buses, trains are more punctual.

When to use it

Means 'compared to' or 'compared with'. Use it to state a difference between two things, people, or times: 去年きょねんに比くらべて雨あめが多おおい 'more rain than last year'. The thing after に比くらべて is the standard you measure against. It is common when talking about change, statistics, or general differences.

Nuance

Neutral to slightly formal; in writing you will also see に比くらべ and と比くらべて. It stresses the act of comparing, so it fits reports and explanations well. The result usually uses an adjective of degree (多おおい, 高たかい, 静しずか).

Compare

Compare より: 東京とうきょうより大阪おおさかが好すき is the basic way to say 'more than'. に比くらべて puts the standard first and sounds more like an observation: 東京とうきょうに比くらべて、大阪おおさかは物ものが安やすい. Use より with ほうが for a direct choice, に比くらべて for describing differences.

Tip: Remember: と比くらべて and に比くらべて mean the same thing. Use ほうが with より, not with に比くらべて, to sound natural.