比

ひ

noun

ratio; comparison

1. ratio; proportion

In mathematics and statistics, the relation of one quantity to another, written 二(に)対(たい)三(さん) (2:3). Also used as a suffix meaning "compared with", as in 前年比(ぜんねんひ) (compared with the previous year).

二(に)つの数(かず)の比(ひ)を求(もと)める。

Find the ratio of the two numbers.

男女(だんじょ)の比(ひ)はほぼ一対一(いちたいいち)だ。

The ratio of men to women is roughly one to one.

売上(うりあげ)は前年比(ぜんねんひ)五(ご)パーセント増(ぞう)となった。

Sales were up five percent compared with the previous year.

As a standalone noun 比(ひ) is a technical term of arithmetic. In everyday reading it is met far more often as a suffix on a base of comparison, where it is best translated "versus" or "compared with".

Common collocations

前年比(ぜんねんひ): compared with the previous year
前月比(ぜんげつひ): compared with the previous month
比(ひ)を求(もと)める: to find a ratio
黄金比(おうごんひ): the golden ratio

Similar words

比率(ひりつ): ratio, proportion — the ordinary word for a ratio expressed as a figure
割合(わりあい): proportion, percentage — everyday register, usually a share of a whole
比較(ひかく): comparison — the act of comparing, not the resulting figure

Related Words

Compare: 割合(わりあい) (proportion, percentage)

general

Added 2026.8.2 0:17 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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