1.
to compare
To examine two or more things to identify similarities and differences.
値段を比べてから買う。
I compare prices before buying.
AとBを比べる。
Compare A and B.
と marks what is compared with what
去年と比べて、今年は暑い。
Compared to last year, this year is hot.
と比べて = compared to
TRANSITIVITY: 他動詞 (transitive). Pattern: AとBを比べる (compare A and B) / Xと比べて (compared to X).
ASPECT: ている indicates ongoing action. 比べている = 'is comparing.'
COMMON PATTERNS:
- AとBを比べる (compare A and B)
- 〜と比べて (compared to ~)
- 〜に比べて (compared to ~—same meaning)
- 比べ物にならない (cannot be compared, incomparable)
- 比べてみる (try comparing)
GRAMMAR NOTE: Both と比べて and に比べて mean 'compared to' and are largely interchangeable.
RELATED:
- 比較 (comparison—noun, more formal)
- 比較する (to compare—する verb, more formal)