に比べて

に比べて means compared with. It is a JLPT N3 grammar pattern used to compare one thing with another.

This grammar point often appears in neutral Japanese. If you want to compare one thing with another, に比べて is a useful pattern to learn.

What does に比べて mean?

Use に比べて when you want to compare one thing with another.

Natural translations include:

• compared with
• compared with
• compared with

How to form に比べて

Noun + に比べて

Examples of the pattern:

• 去年に比べて
• 東京に比べて
• 兄に比べて

When is に比べて used?

Use に比べて in situations like:

• explaining context clearly
• answering JLPT reading questions
• making natural Japanese sentences

Tone and register:

• neutral
• Common in JLPT reading, grammar questions, and natural Japanese sentences

に比べて example sentences

• 去年に比べて、今年は暑い。 — Compared with last year, this year is hot.
• 東京に比べて、この町は静かだ。 — Compared with Tokyo, this town is quiet.
• 兄に比べて、弟はよく話す。 — Compared with his older brother, the younger brother talks a lot.
• 前の仕事に比べて、今の仕事は自由だ。 — Compared with my previous job, my current job is flexible.
• 昔に比べて、生活は便利になった。 — Compared with the past, life has become convenient.

Nuance of に比べて

The key nuance is a practical way to express “compared with” with the right level of emphasis.

This matters because に比べて does more than translate one English phrase. It tells the reader how the speaker is framing the situation, whether as emphasis, contrast, obligation, approximation, or evidence.

For example:

• In context, it sounds natural when the surrounding sentence supports the nuance.
• Compared with より, it has a different focus and level of formality.

に比べて vs より

Both に比べて and より can appear in related situations, but they are different.

に比べて:

• means compared with
• fits the specific N3 pattern and nuance explained above

より:

• より marks “than”; に比べて frames the comparison more explicitly

Quick contrast examples:

• Target: 去年に比べて、今年は暑い。 — Compared with last year, this year is hot.
• Compare: Try replacing it with より and check whether the nuance still matches.

Common mistakes with に比べて

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Using に比べて with the wrong form
• Confusing に比べて with より
• Translating it too literally instead of reading the whole sentence

Is に比べて on the JLPT?

Yes. に比べて is commonly taught as JLPT N3 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

Practice questions for に比べて

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Write one sentence using に比べて.
• Contrast に比べて with より.
• Make a JLPT-style sentence with a clear context.

Learning path for に比べて

To learn に比べて efficiently, review より comparisons first, then decide whether the sentence compares directly or says reality differs from expectation.

1. First, make sure you can form に比べて without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with よりも, 割に（わりに）. These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.
3. Finally, write sentences comparing people, places, effort, price, or results; then check whether replacing に比べて with にしては changes the meaning.

Related grammar to review next

• よりも — because it also compares two things or sets expectations against reality.
• 割に（わりに） — because it also compares two things or sets expectations against reality.
• にしては — because it also compares two things or sets expectations against reality.
• より — because it also compares two things or sets expectations against reality.

Learn に比べて with Hane

If you want to review に比べて together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

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• JLPT N3 grammar lessons