Compared With (相比)

相比 is a more formal way to set up a comparison than 比. It is often used at the beginning of a sentence to establish the two items being compared before the comment. Common patterns include: 跟 A 相比, B... (Compared with A, B...) and A 和 B 相比 (When A and B are compared).

Unlike 比 sentences which embed the comparison within a single predicate (A 比 B + adjective), 相比 sets up the comparison in a separate introductory phrase, giving the speaker more flexibility in the main clause. The main clause can contain any kind of comment — not just a simple adjective.

与...相比 is the most formal variant and is common in academic writing and news reports. 跟...相比 is neutral and works in both spoken and written Chinese. 和...相比 is also neutral. After the 相比 phrase, the main clause often contains adverbs like 更 (even more), 还 (still), or 没有那么 (not as much) to highlight the difference.