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wǒmen jīntiān bǐ zuótiān máng.

我们wǒmen　今天jīntiān　比bǐ　昨天zuótiān　忙máng。wǒmen jīntiān bǐ zuótiān máng.
We are busier today than yesterday.
FromLesson 3inHardcore Chinese
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Questions & Answers about wǒmen jīntiān bǐ zuótiān máng.

What does 比 do here, and what’s the basic structure?
  • 比 marks a comparison: A is more Adj than B.
  • Pattern: A + 比 + B + Adj (+ optional intensifier)
  • In this sentence: 我们 (A) + 比
    • 昨天 (B) + 忙 (Adj) → “We are busier today than yesterday.”
Why is there no 是 (“to be”) before 忙?
  • In Chinese, many adjectives act like stative verbs. You don’t use 是 before a predicative adjective.
  • Say 我们很忙 (“We are busy”) or just 我们忙 (in the right context), not “我们是忙.”
  • With 比-comparatives, you also don’t need 很: 我们今天比昨天忙 is correct.
Do I ever need 很 here?
  • Normally no. 很 is a default “linker” for plain descriptions (我们今天很忙).
  • In a 比-comparison, 很 is usually omitted. If you want “much” busier, use degree words like 更, 多了, 得多, 一点儿 (see below), not 很.
Where do time words like 今天 and 昨天 go?
  • The typical order is: Subject + Time + 比 + Time/Thing + Adj.
  • Natural options:
    • 我们今天比昨天忙。
    • 今天我们比昨天忙。
  • Unnatural: 我们比昨天今天忙。 (don’t split 今天 from the subject like that)
How do I say “much busier” or “a little busier”?

Use degree complements after the adjective:

  • Much busier: 我们今天比昨天忙多了 / 忙得多。
  • A little busier: 我们今天比昨天忙一点儿 / 忙一些。
  • You can also add 更 before the adjective for emphasis: 更忙 (see next Q).
Can I use 更 or 还 to strengthen the comparison?

Yes:

  • 更 goes before the adjective: 我们今天比昨天更忙。 (even more busy)
  • Colloquial 还 can appear after 比: 我们今天比昨天还忙。
  • Both are fine; 更 is a bit more neutral/formal, 还 is more colloquial.
How do I negate this? How do I say “not as busy as yesterday”?
  • “Not as … as” uses 没(有):
    • 我们今天没(有)昨天忙。 = Today is not as busy as yesterday (so today ≤ yesterday).
  • 不比 denies “more than” (could be equal or less):
    • 我们今天不比昨天忙。 = Today is not busier than yesterday (could be the same or less).
  • Another option: 我们今天不如昨天忙。 (less busy than yesterday)
Is 比较忙 the same as “busier”?

No. 比较 (as an adverb) means “relatively/quite,” not “compared with”:

  • 我们今天比较忙。 = We’re relatively/pretty busy today (no explicit comparison target).
  • To say “busier (than yesterday),” keep 比: 我们今天比昨天忙。
Can I omit the subject 我们?

Yes, if context makes it clear:

  • 今天比昨天忙。 could mean “It’s busier today than yesterday” or “We/I am busier today than yesterday,” depending on context.
  • Chinese often drops known subjects.
How are the tones pronounced? Any sandhi to watch for?
  • 我们 wǒmen (3 + neutral), 今天 jīntiān (1 + 1), 比 bǐ (3), 昨天 zuótiān (2 + 1), 忙 máng (2).
  • Tone-sandhi: third tone becomes a “half-3rd” (low) before a non-third, and changes to 2nd before a third. Here, bǐ (3) is followed by zuó (2), so no 3→2 change is triggered.
Can I add 了 at the end: 我们今天比昨天忙了?
  • Bare …忙了 after a 比-comparison sounds odd. Use a degree complement:
    • 我们今天比昨天忙多了/忙得多。
  • If you want a change-of-state sense (now busier than before in general), 更忙了 works in a non-比 sentence: 今天更忙了。
How do I say the opposite (i.e., “Yesterday wasn’t as busy as today”)?

Flip with 没(有) and optionally 这么/那么:

  • 昨天没(有)今天忙。
  • 昨天没有今天这么忙。
Can I use 跟/和 instead of 比?
  • Not for “more than.” 比 is the marker for “more/less than.”
  • 跟/和 … 一样 expresses equality:
    • 今天跟昨天一样忙。 = Today is as busy as yesterday.
  • Don’t say “今天跟昨天忙” to mean “busier.”
Is 忙 an adjective or a verb? Why can I also say 我在忙?
  • 忙 functions as a stative verb/adjective (“to be busy”) in predicative use: 我们今天很忙.
  • It can also be used as an activity: 我在忙 = I’m busy (doing something).
  • In the 比 sentence, it’s an adjective showing degree: …比…忙.
Can I say “A 比 B 不忙” to mean “A is less busy than B”?
  • Avoid “A 比 B 不Adj.” That’s unidiomatic.
  • Use:
    • A 没(有) B Adj (not as … as): 我们今天没昨天忙。
    • or A 不如 B Adj: 我们今天不如昨天忙。

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