Learn Hardcore Chinese: tā bǐ wǒ máng, tā gèng máng. - He is busier than me; she is even busier.

In Mandarin, many adjectives function as predicates without 是. You say 他很忙 or 他比我忙, not 他是忙. The adjective itself works like "to be + adj."

Should I add 很 in a 比 sentence? Is "他比我很忙" OK?

No. In the A 比 B + Adj pattern, you normally do not use 很. Use degree markers appropriate for comparison instead:

他比我忙一点儿/一些 = a little busier
他比我忙多了/忙得多 = much busier
他比我更忙 / 还忙 = even busier

What does 更 (gèng) add?

更 means "even more/more so." 她更忙 = She is even busier (than someone just mentioned or implied). It’s not the superlative. For "the most," use 最: 她最忙 = She is the busiest.

Can I say 他比我更忙 instead of 他比我忙?

Yes. 他比我更忙 emphasizes the extra degree: "He is even busier than me." 他比我忙 is a plain comparison; both are correct.

How is 更 different from 还 when talking about "even more"?

更 before an adjective marks a higher degree: 更忙.
还 can also mean "even (more)" in comparisons: 他比我还忙 = He is even busier than me.
But without a comparison or clear prior baseline, 还忙 usually means "still busy," not "even busier." So 她还忙 is "she is still busy" unless context makes "even" clear.

In 她更忙, who is she being compared to?

Usually the most salient earlier referent, here the previously mentioned "he." So the natural reading is: He is busier than me; she is even busier (than him). Context decides; if the topic is a group (me, him, her), 她更忙 can imply "she is the busiest of the three" in conversation, though it’s not a formal superlative.

Are 他 and 她 pronounced the same?

Yes. Both are pronounced tā (first tone). Only the characters/meanings differ: 他 (he), 她 (she), 它 (it).

Any tone-sandhi to watch out for in 比我?

Yes. 比 (bǐ, 3rd) + 我 (wǒ, 3rd) → the first 3rd tone becomes a 2nd-tone-like rising in fluent speech: pronounce it roughly as bí wǒ.

How do I say "I am not as busy as him"?

Use the "not as ... as" pattern with 没有:

我没有他忙 = I am not as busy as him. Also note: 他不比我忙 = He is not busier than me (he could be the same or less). 不比 denies "more than," while 没有 states "less than."

How do I say "a little busier" or "much busier"?

A little: 他比我忙一点儿/一些.
Much: 他比我忙多了 / 忙得多. These go after the adjective in a 比 sentence.

Where do time or aspect words go with 比?

Place them before the predicate:

他现在比我忙 / 现在他比我忙 = He is now busier than me. To show a change of state, add 了: 她最近更忙了 = Lately she has become even busier (than before).

Do I need a conjunction between the two clauses, or is a comma enough?

A comma is natural in Chinese to link short related clauses: 他比我忙，她更忙. You can add connectors for nuance:

Contrast: …，而她更忙。
"But": …，不过她更忙。 Avoid using 而且 unless it’s clearly adding on to a prior "not only" structure.

How do I say "He is as busy as me"?

Use the "equal degree" pattern:

他跟/和我一样忙。

What about 比 vs 比较 (bǐjiào)?

比 sets up an explicit comparison with a standard: 她比我忙.
比较 is an adverb meaning "relatively/quite": 她比较忙 = She is relatively busy (no explicit "than" target).

Can 忙 take a following action, like "busy doing X"?

Yes, with 忙着 + Verb Phrase:

她更忙着准备考试。 = She is even busier preparing for the exam. Here 忙 remains an adjective; 着 links the ongoing activity.