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较 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
较jiàocomparativelyHSK 5, zg, 10 strokes, radical 车, rank #5037, Hard
较jiào(preposition comparing difference in degree)HSK 5, zg, 10 strokes, radical 车, rank #5037, Hard
较jiàoto contrastHSK 5, zg, 10 strokes, radical 车, rank #5037, Hard
较jiàoto compareHSK 5, zg, 10 strokes, radical 车, rank #5037, Hard
较jiàoratherHSK 5, zg, 10 strokes, radical 车, rank #5037, Hard
较jiàofairlyHSK 5, zg, 10 strokes, radical 车, rank #5037, Hard
较jiàoclearly (different)HSK 5, zg, 10 strokes, radical 车, rank #5037, Hard
较jiàomarkedlyHSK 5, zg, 10 strokes, radical 车, rank #5037, Hard
较jiàoto haggle overHSK 5, zg, 10 strokes, radical 车, rank #5037, Hard
较jiàoto quibbleHSK 5, zg, 10 strokes, radical 车, rank #5037, Hard
较jiàoalso pr. [jiǎo]HSK 5, zg, 10 strokes, radical 车, rank #5037, Hard
较jiàoto compare; relatively; moreHSK 5, zg, 10 strokes, radical 车, rank #5037, Hard
较jiàoto disputeHSK 5, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 车, rank #5037, Hard
较jiàocompared toHSK 5, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 车, rank #5037, Hard
较jiào(before adj.) relativelyHSK 5, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 车, rank #5037, Hard
较jiàoalso pr. [jiao3]HSK 5, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 车, rank #5037, Hard
jiào(jiao4)jiao T4
  1. 1comparatively
  2. 2(preposition comparing difference in degree)
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March 24, 2026

较(較)jiào(jiao4)

The character 较 (jiào) denotes a sense of comparison or contrast between two or more subjects. It is often used to express degrees of difference, such as 'more than' or 'rather,' and is commonly found in both spoken and written language, particularly in comparative statements.

Strokes10Radical车Frequency#5037DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, comparisons are often used to highlight the qualities of products or services, especially in markets where bargaining is common. The use of 较 can reflect a cultural emphasis on finding better value.

Memory Tip

Imagine a scale weighing two items: one is clearly heavier than the other, representing the concept of comparison in 较 (jiào). The left side has 'jiāo' (较) written on it, emphasizing the act of weighing or comparing differences.

Meanings of 较

jiào(jiao4)
1comparatively
2(preposition comparing difference in degree)
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 较 means.

About 较

较Simplified
較Traditional
10Strokes
车Radical
状态词zgdp (stat.)Part of Speech
#5037Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 较

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Podcast: 较

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AI Study Notes for 较

Quick Contrast

较 (jiào) vs 比 (bǐ) — use 较 when indicating a comparative degree or preference, while 比 is used to directly compare two subjects.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 较 (jiào) with 角 (jiǎo), which means 'angle' or 'corner.' 较 is more informal and frequently used in spoken language, making it suitable for everyday conversations. Common collocations include '较好' (better) and '比较' (compare).

HSK Study Tips

While 较 is not part of the official HSK levels, it relates closely to basic vocabulary around comparison and adjectives. Students should focus on its usage in comparative structures, linking it to other HSK words like 比 (bǐ) and 更 (gèng).

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 较 (jiào) with 更 (gèng), which is used for 'more' in a general sense. For example, saying '更好' when '较好' is more appropriate can lead to misunderstanding. Always remember to choose 较 for direct comparisons.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 较

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Etymology of 较

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 车 represents the meaning and 交 represents the sound. Simplified form of 較.

Memory Hint

cart

Semantic (meaning)车
+
Phonetic (sound)交
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

较 = 车 + 交. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 较

IDS Structure⿰车交
较Full Character
=
车Che1
left
交jiao1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 较?

How to say comparatively in Chinese

“comparatively” in Chinese is较jiào

The character 较 (jiào) denotes a sense of comparison or contrast between two or more subjects. It is often used to express degrees of difference, such as 'more than' or 'rather,' and is commonly found in both spoken and written language, particularly in comparative statements.

When to use 较

Be careful not to confuse 较 (jiào) with 角 (jiǎo), which means 'angle' or 'corner.' 较 is more informal and frequently used in spoken language, making it suitable for everyday conversations. Common collocations include '较好' (better) and '比较' (compare).

较 or something close to it

较 (jiào) vs 比 (bǐ) — use 较 when indicating a comparative degree or preference, while 比 is used to directly compare two subjects.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 较 (jiào) with 更 (gèng), which is used for 'more' in a general sense. For example, saying '更好' when '较好' is more appropriate can lead to misunderstanding. Always remember to choose 较 for direct comparisons.

Write 较

较

Practice writing 较 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 较

较 carries 16 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Related grammar lessons6
比较级较 + [adj]
HSK 3

Used to form comparative adjectives.

这个苹果较大。

Zhège píngguǒ jiào dà.

This apple is relatively large.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

我比____喜欢游泳。

I relatively prefer swimming.

Common Confusions with 较

较vs教
jiào

Same pronunciation, but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Which one

Which one means “comparatively”?

or

Usage Notes for 较

使用较与比较Grammar Tip

‘较’通常用作形容词的比较形式，而‘比较’可以用作动词表示比较的行为。

1

他较聪明。

He is relatively smart.

2

我们来比较一下这两个方案。

Let's compare these two plans.

Exercise 1 of 1

Get it right

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

他____聪明。

He is relatively smart.

Example Sentences for 较 (14)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
各公司正在把工作岗位转移至生活费用较低的城镇。

gè gōng sī zhèng zài bǎ gōng zuò gǎng wèi zhuǎn yí zhì shēng huó fèi yòng jiào dī de chéng zhèn。

Companies are moving jobs to towns with a lower cost of living.
2
网络游戏使得全球的玩家可以相互较量。

wǎng luò yóu xì shǐ dé quán qiú de wán jiā kě yǐ xiāng hù jiào liáng。

Online gaming allows players from around the world to challenge each other.
3
一些较老式的电话机仍然只收代币。

yī xiē jiào lǎo shì de diàn huà jī réng rán zhī shōu dài bì。

Some of the older telephones still only accept tokens.
4
遗憾的是，这个快乐的故事结局却比较伤感。

yí hàn de shì， ， zhè gè kuài lè de gù shì jié jú què bǐ jiào shāng。

Unfortunately, this happy story finishes on a more sombre note.
5
这个实用的基础模型较为简略地解释了人类的行为。

zhè gè shí yòng de jī chǔ mó xíng jiào wéi jiǎn lüè dì jiě shì le rén lèi de háng wéi。

This basic utilitarian model gives a relatively unsophisticated account of human behaviour.
6
经过5小时41分钟的较量，菲舍尔获得了胜利。

jīng guò5 5 xiǎo41 shí 41 fēn zhōng de， jiào liáng ， fēi shě ěr huò dé。

Fischer won after 5 hours and 41 minutes of play.
7
过去这几天似乎比较平淡无聊。

guò qù zhè jī tiān sì hū bǐ jiào píng dàn wú liáo。

The past few days have seemed comparatively flat and empty.
8
这是向较低利率迈出的重要一步。

zhè shì xiàng jiào dī lì shuài mài chū de zhòng yào yī bù。

This is an important step toward lower interest rates.
9
他给他的计算机编制了一套程序，以比较所有可能的组合。

tā gěi tā de jì suàn jī biān zhì le yī tào chéng xù， ， yǐ bǐ jiào suǒ yǒu kě néng de zǔ。

He programmed his computer to compare all the possible combinations.
10
他为某些思想较守旧的官员所憎恶。

tā wéi mǒu xiē sī xiǎng jiào shǒu jiù de guān yuán suǒ zēng è。

He is loathed by some of the more traditionally minded officers.
11
这次旅行的费用较上次便宜。

Zhè cì lǚxíng de fèiyòng jiào shàng cì piányi.

The cost of this trip is comparatively cheaper than last time.
12
新产品的设计较为复杂，需要更多时间开发。

Xīn chǎnpǐn de shèjì jiào wéi fùzá, xūyào gèng duō shíjiān kāifā.

The design of the new product is comparatively complex and requires more time to develop.
13
这本书的内容较为深奥，适合高级读者。

Zhè běn shū de nèiróng jiào wéi shēn'ào, shìhé gāojí dúzhě.

The content of this book is comparatively profound, suitable for advanced readers.
14
与其他城市相比，这里的气候较为温和。

Yǔ qítā chéngshì xiāng bǐ, zhèlǐ de qìhòu jiào wéi wēnhé.

Compared to other cities, the climate here is comparatively mild.

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Cultural Notes for 较

💡Did you know?

‘较’字的结构包含了‘车’字旁，象征着古代用车进行比较的方式，这可能与古代贸易和交流有关。

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

在英语中，‘比较’常常用‘compare’这个词，而在汉语中，‘较’可以用作一个更简洁的方式来表达相对比较。

Word Family of 较

Words Containing This Character20
比较bǐjiàoto compare比較
较jiàoto compare較
较大comparatively large較大
较为comparatively較為
较好better較好
较量jiàoliàngcontest較量
计较jìjiàoto haggle計較
较差mediocre較差
较劲jiàojìnto compete較勁
较真serious較真
斤斤计较to haggle over every ounce斤斤計較
比较文学comparative literature比較文學
较真儿serious較真兒
锱铢必较to haggle over every cent (idiom)錙銖必較
较场same as 校場|校场較場
较比fairly較比
较略roughly較略
年较差annual range (temperature, humidity etc)年較差
彰明较著obvious彰明較著
斤斤较量to bicker at length over a trivial matter (idiom)斤斤較量
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 较

What does 比较 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 较

Yes, 较 is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese. It is especially useful when discussing preferences or making comparisons, making it suitable for everyday conversations. However, in casual speech, people might prefer using 比 instead.

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