While 比较 (bǐjiào) is a grammatical tool, its frequent use as an adverb (“relatively”) taps into a core aspect of Chinese communication: indirectness and modesty (谦虚 - qiānxū). In many Western cultures, especially American culture, direct and strong statements are common (“This food is amazing!” “He's a genius.”). In contrast, traditional Chinese culture often favors subtlety and humility. Making absolute statements can be seen as arrogant or immature. Using 比较 (bǐjiào) is a perfect way to express an opinion or state a fact without being overly absolute. Saying “我的中文比较好” (My Chinese is relatively good) is more humble and common than saying “我的中文很好” (My Chinese is very good), even if your Chinese is, in fact, excellent. It leaves room for others and acknowledges that “good” is a relative concept. This habit of qualifying statements is a key feature of sounding more like a native speaker.
This is the most common usage of 比较. The structure is simple: `比较 + Adjective/Psychological Verb`. It's used constantly in daily conversation to describe weather, food, people, situations, and feelings. It's less intense than “very” (很 - hěn) or “extremely” (非常 - fēicháng).
When used as a verb, 比较 means to actively carry out a comparison. It is slightly more formal than the simple `A 比 B` structure.