比起来
Pattern
A 跟 B 比起来，comment
Key words
Core idea
比起来 introduces a general comparison before the main comment.
It is useful when you compare two choices, times, places, or situations as a whole.
How it works
The comparison point often comes before 比起来, frequently introduced with 跟. The main clause then says what is different.
Compare with basic comparison
The basic 比 pattern directly compares one quality. 比起来 feels more like “compared with...” and sets up the whole sentence.
Examples
跟咖啡比起来，我更喜欢茶。
Gēn kāfēi bǐqǐlái, wǒ gèng xǐhuān chá.
Compared with coffee, I like tea more.
跟昨天比起来，今天暖和多了。
Gēn zuótiān bǐqǐlái, jīntiān nuǎnhuo duō le.
Compared with yesterday, today is much warmer.
跟坐车比起来，走路比较累。
Gēn zuò chē bǐqǐlái, zǒulù bǐjiào lèi.
Compared with taking a car, walking is more tiring.
Common mistakes
Avoid
咖啡比起来，我更喜欢茶。
Use
跟咖啡比起来，我更喜欢茶。
The comparison point is often introduced with 跟 before 比起来.