比起
bǐ qǐ · HSK 7
compared with
⚖️ bǐ qǐ = compare + rise — setting things side by side to weigh them up
The first character 比 means to compare or contrast, while 起 means to rise or bring up. Together they literally bring up a comparison — compared with.
比 — two 匕 (person) side by side
比 is a pictograph showing two people standing side by side, facing the same direction. From this image of paired figures came the core meaning 'to compare' or 'to be next to,' since comparing things naturally involves placing them alongside each other.
起 — 走 (run) + 己 (self/phonetic)
起 combines 走 'run/walk' as the meaning component with 己 as the phonetic component. The 走 element suggests movement of the body, giving the core sense of rising up or starting to move. From there it extended to meanings like 'get up,' 'begin,' and 'arise.'