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〜に比べて

compared with

Noun + に比べて / に比べると (と比べて also works)

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に比べて sets up a comparison: 去年に比べて、今年は雨が多い, "compared with last year, there's more rain this year". 比べる means "to compare", so the literal sense is "compared to".

It's a little more formal and explicit than より, and it's common in reports, news and when you're weighing two things up. に比べると means the same, and と比べて is fine too.

The second half says how the main subject differs: more, less, better, cheaper, quieter. It's also common with change over time: 前に比べて、日本語が上手になりましたね, "your Japanese has improved compared with before".

In formal writing, it shortens to に比べ.

Examples

  • 去年きょねんに比くらべて、今年ことしは雨あめが多おおい。

    Compared with last year, there's more rain this year.

  • 東京とうきょうに比くらべて、大阪おおさかは物価ぶっかが安やすい。

    Compared with Tokyo, Osaka is cheaper to live in.

  • 兄あにに比くらべて、私わたしは背せが低ひくい。

    Compared with my brother, I'm short.

  • 前まえに比くらべて、日本語にほんごが上手じょうずになりましたね。

    Your Japanese has improved compared with before.

  • 都会とかいに比くらべると、田舎いなかは静しずかだ。

    Compared with the city, the countryside is quiet.

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