Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== dǎ bǐfāng: 打比方 - To make an analogy, to use a metaphor, for example ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** dǎ bǐfāng, 打比方, make an analogy in Chinese, Chinese metaphor, how to say for example in Chinese, Chinese comparison, explain in Chinese, bǐrú shuō vs dǎ bǐfāng, Chinese communication style * **Summary:** Learn how to use "打比方" (dǎ bǐfāng), a fundamental Chinese phrase that means "to make an analogy" or "to use a metaphor." This page breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage with numerous examples. Understand the crucial difference between 打比方 and 比如说 (for example) to make your explanations in Mandarin Chinese clearer, more vivid, and more natural. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** dǎ bǐfāng * **Part of Speech:** Verb Phrase (specifically, a verb-object phrase) * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 * **Concise Definition:** To make an analogy, to draw a comparison, or to use a metaphor to explain something. * **In a Nutshell:** "打比方" is the action of explaining a complex or abstract idea by comparing it to something simpler and more familiar. It's the Chinese equivalent of saying, "Let's put it this way...", "To make an analogy...", or "Let's say for a moment that...". It's a powerful tool for clarification and is used constantly in everyday conversation, education, and business. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **打 (dǎ):** While its most common meaning is "to hit" or "to strike," in many phrases, 打 acts as a versatile verb meaning "to do," "to make," or "to engage in." Here, it means "to make." Other examples include 打电话 (dǎ diànhuà - to make a phone call) and 打游戏 (dǎ yóuxì - to play a game). * **比方 (bǐfāng):** This is a noun meaning "analogy" or "supposition." * **比 (bǐ):** Means "to compare." * **方 (fāng):** Has many meanings like "square" or "direction," but here it combines with 比 to form the specific noun "analogy." * Together, **打比方 (dǎ bǐfāng)** literally translates to "to make a comparison" or "to make an analogy," which perfectly captures its meaning. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * In Chinese communication, clarity and mutual understanding are highly valued. However, direct, abstract explanations can sometimes be seen as blunt or difficult to grasp. Using analogies and stories is a culturally preferred way to teach, persuade, and explain. "打比方" is the key linguistic tool for this approach. * A teacher explaining a scientific concept, a boss outlining a business strategy, or a friend describing a feeling will all frequently resort to "打一个比方" ("Let me make an analogy") to ensure their point lands effectively. This reflects a pragmatic approach to communication that prioritizes comprehension over abstract accuracy. * **Comparison to Western Culture:** In English, we might say "for example," "for instance," or "let's draw an analogy." While the function is similar, "打比方" feels more like an active, deliberate action. It's not just a transition phrase; it's a verb phrase that signals, "I am now actively constructing a comparison for you." This highlights the importance placed on the *act* of making things understandable for the listener. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * **Informal Conversation:** It's extremely common in daily chats. The most frequent form is **打个比方 (dǎ ge bǐfāng)**, which is a softer, more colloquial version meaning "Let me make a little analogy..." or "Let's just say..." * **Education and Teaching:** This is a cornerstone of the Chinese classroom. Teachers constantly use "我们来打个比方" (Let's make an analogy) to break down difficult subjects for students, from grammar points to physics principles. * **Business and Negotiations:** In a meeting, using a clever analogy can be a very persuasive way to explain a market strategy or a product's value proposition. It makes complex business ideas more concrete and memorable. * **Formality:** The term is neutral and can be used in almost any context, from a casual chat with friends to a formal presentation. The surrounding language dictates the overall formality. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 学习一门新语言就像盖房子，我这么**打比方**，你能明白吗？ * Pinyin: Xuéxí yī mén xīn yǔyán jiù xiàng gài fángzi, wǒ zhème **dǎ bǐfāng**, nǐ néng míngbai ma? * English: Learning a new language is like building a house. If I make an analogy like this, can you understand? * Analysis: This is a classic use case, comparing one abstract process (learning a language) to a concrete one (building a house) to make it easier to understand. * **Example 2:** * 经理，我还是不太懂这个新策略。您能**打个比方**吗？ * Pinyin: Jīnglǐ, wǒ háishì bù tài dǒng zhège xīn cèlüè. Nín néng **dǎ ge bǐfāng** ma? * English: Manager, I still don't quite understand this new strategy. Could you make an analogy? * Analysis: Here, an employee is politely asking for clarification. Using "打个比方" is a common and effective way to request a simpler explanation. Note the colloquial use of "打个比方". * **Example 3:** * **打比方**说，如果公司是一艘船，那我们每个员工都是船员。 * Pinyin: **Dǎ bǐfāng** shuō, rúguǒ gōngsī shì yī sōu chuán, nà wǒmen měi ge yuángōng dōu shì chuányuán. * English: To make an analogy, if the company is a ship, then every one of us employees is a crew member. * Analysis: The phrase is used right at the beginning to introduce the comparative scenario. The "说 (shuō)" is often added colloquially. * **Example 4:** * 他这个人很复杂。**打个比方**，他就像天气，时好时坏。 * Pinyin: Tā zhège rén hěn fùzá. **Dǎ ge bǐfāng**, tā jiù xiàng tiānqì, shí hǎo shí huài. * English: He's a very complicated person. For instance, he's like the weather, sometimes good, sometimes bad. * Analysis: This shows how "打比方" can be used to explain a person's character or a complex emotional situation. * **Example 5:** * 我觉得你这个**比方打得**不太好，反而让我更糊涂了。 * Pinyin: Wǒ juéde nǐ zhège **bǐfāng dǎ de** bù tài hǎo, fǎn'ér ràng wǒ gèng hútu le. * English: I think the analogy you made isn't very good; on the contrary, it made me even more confused. * Analysis: This example is crucial. It shows how "打比方" can be split. "比方" becomes the object, and "打得不好" is a comment on how well the action was performed. This is a very common structure. * **Example 6:** * 时间管理很重要。**打个比方**，每个人的时间都像一个银行账户，每天都会存入新的24小时。 * Pinyin: Shíjiān guǎnlǐ hěn zhòngyào. **Dǎ ge bǐfāng**, měi ge rén de shíjiān dōu xiàng yī ge yínháng zhànghù, měi tiān dūhuì cúnrù xīn de èrshísì xiǎoshí. * English: Time management is very important. To make an analogy, everyone's time is like a bank account, with a new 24 hours deposited each day. * Analysis: A classic example of using an analogy for motivation or self-help advice. * **Example 7:** * 别担心，考试没那么可怕。**打比方**，它只是一次练习，让你看看自己哪里还需要提高。 * Pinyin: Bié dānxīn, kǎoshì méi nàme kěpà. **Dǎ bǐfāng**, tā zhǐshì yī cì liànxí, ràng nǐ kànkan zìjǐ nǎlǐ hái xūyào tígāo. * English: Don't worry, the exam isn't that scary. Let's just say it's just a practice session to let you see where you still need to improve. * Analysis: Here, the analogy is used to reframe a situation and reduce anxiety. * **Example 8:** * 经济系统就像一个生态系统，这个**比方**很恰当。 * Pinyin: Jīngjì xìtǒng jiù xiàng yī ge shēngtài xìtǒng, zhège **bǐfāng** hěn qiàdàng. * English: The economic system is like an ecosystem; this analogy is very appropriate. * Analysis: In this sentence, "比方" is used simply as a noun ("analogy") without the verb "打". * **Example 9:** * 为了让孩子理解，他**打了个**很生动的**比方**。 * Pinyin: Wèile ràng háizi lǐjiě, tā **dǎ le ge** hěn shēngdòng de **bǐfāng**. * English: In order to make the child understand, he made a very vivid analogy. * Analysis: Another example of the verb-object structure being split, this time by an adjective ("vivid"). * **Example 10:** * **打比方**，就算你现在开始学，只要方法对，一年后你的中文也会很好。 * Pinyin: **Dǎ bǐfāng**, jiùsuàn nǐ xiànzài kāishǐ xué, zhǐyào fāngfǎ duì, yī nián hòu nǐ de Zhōngwén yě huì hěn hǎo. * English: Let's just say, even if you start studying now, as long as the method is right, your Chinese will be very good in a year. * Analysis: Here, "打比方" is used to introduce a hypothetical situation to encourage someone. It functions like "for the sake of argument" or "let's suppose." ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **`打比方` (dǎ bǐfāng) vs. `比如说` (bǐrú shuō):** This is the most common point of confusion for learners. * **`打比方` (To Make an Analogy):** Introduces a single, often more detailed, comparative scenario to explain a concept. It answers the question "What is this //like//?" * //Correct:// 经济衰退就像冬天，很多公司会倒闭。(The economic recession is like winter; many companies will go bankrupt.) - This is an analogy. * **`比如说` (For Example / For Instance):** Introduces one or more concrete examples from a category. It answers the question "Can you give me an //example// of this?" * //Correct:// 我喜欢很多运动，**比如说**篮球、足球和游泳。(Wǒ xǐhuan hěn duō yùndòng, **bǐrú shuō** lánqiú, zúqiú hé yóuyǒng.) - I like many sports, for example, basketball, soccer, and swimming. * **Common Mistake:** Using `打比方` to list examples. * //Incorrect:// 我喜欢很多运动，**打比方**篮球、足球和游泳。 * //Why it's wrong:// Basketball and soccer are examples of sports, not analogies for the concept of "sports." * **`打比方` vs. `比喻` (bǐyù):** * `打比方` is the //action// of making an analogy in conversation. * `比喻` is the formal, literary //noun// for "metaphor" or "simile." You would use `比喻` when analyzing poetry or literature, but you use `打比方` when you are actively speaking and trying to explain something. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[比如说]] (bǐrú shuō) - "For example; for instance." Used to introduce a list of concrete examples, not an analogy. * [[举个例子]] (jǔ ge lìzi) - "To give an example." Functionally very similar to `比如说`. Literally "to raise an example." * [[比喻]] (bǐyù) - (Noun) The literary term for a metaphor or simile. * [[好比]] (hǎobǐ) - "To be just like; can be compared to." A conjunction used within the analogy itself. (e.g., 人生**好比**一场旅行 - Life is just like a journey). * [[说明]] (shuōmíng) - "To explain; to illustrate." `打比方` is a common method used to `说明` a difficult point. * [[好像]] (hǎoxiàng) / [[像]] (xiàng) - "To seem like; to be like." The core words used to construct the actual comparison or simile after you've introduced it with `打比方`. * [[换句话说]] (huàn jù huà shuō) - "In other words." Another phrase used for clarification, but it involves rephrasing rather than creating an analogy.