与…相比
compared with A, B …
Structure
与／和／跟 A 相比 ， B …
What it means
Compared with A, B …: sets A up as the reference point, then describes B against it.
How it is built
与／和／跟 + A + 相比，B + description: 与东部相比，西部的经济相对落后 (Compared with the east, the west's economy is relatively backward). 和 and 跟 are less formal than 与.
When to use it
Formal-leaning; suits reports and essays. 相比之下 opens a sentence when A has just been described (by comparison). Plain spoken comparison: A 比 B + adjective.
Watch out
No 比 afterwards: the comparison is already made. ✗ 与东部相比，西部比东部落后 ✓ 与东部相比，西部比较落后. Degree words like 更, 比较, 相对 are fine.
Examples
与东部相比，西部的经济相对落后。
Compared with the east, the west’s economy is relatively backward.
相比之下，东北近年来增长缓慢。
By comparison, the northeast has grown slowly in recent years.
Learn this in Lesson 52 · HSK 6: 中国经济的版图 (The economic map)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
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