Meaning
比如 is used to introduce examples that illustrate or clarify a preceding statement. It's one of the most common ways to say 'for example' in Mandarin and is essential for everyday conversation and writing when you want to give concrete instances of a general idea.
Usage
Native speakers use 比如 frequently in both spoken and written Chinese. It typically appears after a general statement and before one or more specific examples. It's slightly more casual than 例如 (lì rú), which is more formal and common in academic or written contexts. Often followed by 说 (shuō) as 比如说 for emphasis.
Examples
- 01我喜欢吃水果，比如苹果、香蕉和橙子。, , .I like to eat fruit, for example apples, bananas, and oranges.
- 02很多城市都有这个问题，比如北京和上海。, .Many cities have this problem, for instance Beijing and Shanghai.
Characters
Common collocations
- 比如说for example (emphatic form)
- 打个比方to give an analogy
Origin
Literally means 'compare like' or 'comparable to,' combining 比 (to compare) and 如 (like/as). The compound evolved to mean 'for example' by the logic of comparing something to a similar case.