pei3 mei5媲美
Jyutpingpei3 mei5
Yalepei méih
Definition
To compare favorably with; to be as good as or rival in excellence.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
Employs a formal, literary tone that contrasts with the casual nature of everyday Cantonese speech. It is typically reserved for written descriptions, formal reviews, or high-praise comparisons where the speaker wants to sound sophisticated or emphatic. Using it in a very casual setting might sound slightly out of place or overly dramatic.
Examples
The standard of this restaurant can absolutely rival a five-star hotel.
What place's night view can rival how beautiful Hong Kong's is?
Related words
Common phrases
to rival world-class standards
Common mistake
Learners often try to use it in simple comparisons where 夠好 or 比得上 would be more natural. It is not meant for basic comparisons of quality, but rather for highlighting that two things are on an equally high, impressive level.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
