A＋形容词＋于＋B
A is more … than B (written): 高于, 低于, 重于
Structure
A ＋ 形容词（高／低／大／小／多／少／重） 于 B
What it means
“A is more … than B” in writing: the written form of A比B + adjective, at home in reports and data.
How it is built
A + one-syllable adjective + 于 + B: 他的血压明显高于正常水平 (his blood pressure is well above normal). Common: 高于, 低于, 大于, 小于, 多于, 少于, 重于, 优于.
When to use it
Reports, statistics and rules; in speech say A比B高. Degree words go in front: 略高于, 明显低于, 远大于. In rules, 不低于 means “no less than” and 不高于 “no more than”.
Watch out
Don't add 比 or 很. ✗ 比去年高于 ✗ 很高于去年 ✓ 高于去年 ✓ 略高于去年. Only one-syllable adjectives fit.
Examples
他的血压明显高于正常水平，医生让他马上住院。
His blood pressure is well above normal, and the doctor told him to go into hospital at once.
今年一季度，这家公司的利润略低于去年同期。
In the first quarter the company’s profits were slightly below the same period last year.
对他来说，家人的健康重于一切。
To him, his family’s health matters more than anything.
Learn this in Lesson 114 · HSK 7–9: 国家喊你减肥 (Data story: the state wants you to lose weight)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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