に比べて
Compared to, When compared to
Structure
(1) に比べたら、に比べれば、に比べると
Explanation
に比べて is a standard phrase used to draw a comparison between two things. It generally translates to 'compared to (A), (B) is...' or 'in comparison with (A), (B) is...'. This expression is derived from the る-verb 比べる, which means 'to compare'.
に比べて attaches directly to a noun, which becomes the benchmark for the comparison. The statement that follows will then describe the contrast between the two items.
- この町は田舎に比べてとてもにぎやかだ。This town is very bustling compared to the countryside.
- 先週に比べて今日のテストは簡単だった。Compared to last week, today's test was easy.
The particle と is sometimes used instead of に. While the two are mostly interchangeable, に tends to focus more on the difference between (A) and (B) along a single, shared characteristic. Conversely, と often contrasts (A) and (B) more generally, highlighting their respective unique traits.
- この店はあの店に比べてサービスが良い。The service at this store is better compared to that one.
- 兄も料理が上手だけど、姉は兄に比べるともっと上手だ。My brother is good at cooking too, but compared to him, my sister is even better.
- 犬は猫と比べてよくなつく。Compared to cats, dogs are more affectionate. (Dogs are affectionate, while cats have other qualities)
- 電車はバスと比べて速い。Compared to buses, trains are fast. (Trains are fast, compared to buses, which might be cheaper, among other things)
Caution
The exact conjugation of 比べる does not significantly change the core meaning of the comparison, as long as a sense of 'if' or 'when' is present. For this reason, variations like に比べたら, に比べれば, and に比べると are all common and acceptable.
- 他の国に比べたら、日本は物価が高い。Compared to other countries, prices in Japan are high.
- 夏に比べれば秋は涼しいけど、春に比べたらまだ暑い。If you compare it to summer, autumn is cool, but compared to spring, it's still hot.
- 新しいカバンに比べると、このカバンは重く感じるけど、そんなに重くない。When you compare it to a new bag, this one feels heavy, but it isn't really that heavy.
Examples
都会に比べると、田舎は空気がきれいだ。
Compared to the city, the air in the countryside is clean.
新品に比べたら、中古の方がずっと安い。
Compared to brand-new items, used ones are much cheaper.
バスに比べて、電車は時間どおりに来ることが多い。
Compared to buses, trains tend to be more punctual.
姉に比べたら、妹はとても静かだ。
Compared to my older sister, my younger sister is very quiet.
数学に比べると、歴史の方が簡単だ。
When you compare it with math, history is easier.
先月に比べて、体重が２キロ減った。
I've lost two kilograms compared to last month.
魚に比べたら、肉の方が好きです。
Compared to fish, I prefer meat.
東京に比べて、北海道はかなり涼しい。
Compared to Tokyo, Hokkaido is considerably cooler.
前の仕事に比べると、今の仕事は給料が高い。
Compared to my previous job, my current one pays better.
犬に比べたら、猫はあまり散歩に行く必要がない。
Compared to dogs, cats don't really need to be walked.
電話に比べて、メールには記録が残るという利点がある。
Compared to phone calls, email has the advantage of leaving a record.
国内旅行に比べると、海外旅行は費用がかかる。
Compared to domestic travel, traveling abroad costs more.