<p><code>比如</code> used for <code>similar but have different things</code>;</p>

<p><code>例如</code> used for <code>many of the same things, and take a typical example, using the example to illustrate the general of many things</code></p>

<p>Also, <code>比如</code> may not exist, but <code>例如</code> is must really exist. </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>比如和例如最重要的区别在“比”“例”的不同上。两词共有的“如”都是“象”的意思。但是，“比如”是用两个有些相似但是根本不同事物间的形容。例如说，“说话就比如是骑自行车样，要练习。”这里就不能用“例如”。“例如”是在说明很多相同的事物时，从中拿出一个典型的例子，用这个例子来说明众多的一般的事物。例如：“大家都很无私，例如小李就捐了一万块。”这里用比如好像可以，但是准确的应该是“例如”。</p>
</blockquote>

<p>See <a href="http://wenku.baidu.com/view/941f119c9ec3d5bbfd0a7471.html">here</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-23T03:36:06.513Z
2016-03-23T03:48:16.393Z
2016-03-23T03:48:16.393Z
Albert
<p>I know both can mean "for example/such as/for instance". They are most likely synonyms but even synonyms have slight subtle differences in precise meaning and usage. 
I know that 例 can be used alone: (<strong>例句</strong> -- <em>example sentence</em>; <strong>例语</strong> -- <em>example word/phrase</em>) and 比 cannot (比句 and 比语 don't exactly make much sense).
What I don't know are the specific semantic differences between 例如 and 比如.
Any help would be appreciated!</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-24T17:10:33.023Z
It helps me to break the words apart: 比 means "compare", 例 means "example", 如 means "with; as; comply with". So, one way of translating 比如 is "compare (that) with ..." and 例如 is "(here is something) as an example ...".
callyalater
<meaning><usage><synonyms>
What is the difference between 比如 and 例如
# What is the difference between 比如 and 例如

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-03-22)

I know both can mean "for example/such as/for instance". They are most likely synonyms but even synonyms have slight subtle differences in precise meaning and usage.
I know that 例 can be used alone: (**例句** -- *example sentence*; **例语** -- *example word/phrase*) and 比 cannot (比句 and 比语 don't exactly make much sense).
What I don't know are the specific semantic differences between 例如 and 比如.
Any help would be appreciated!

**Tags:** meaning, usage, synonyms
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: It helps me to break the words apart: 比 means "compare", 例 means "example", 如 means "with; as; comply with". So, one way of translating 比如 is "compare (that) with ..." and 例如 is "(here is something) as an example ...".  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-03-23. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

`比如` used for `similar but have different things`;

`例如` used for `many of the same things, and take a typical example, using the example to illustrate the general of many things`

Also, `比如` may not exist, but `例如` is must really exist.

> 比如和例如最重要的区别在“比”“例”的不同上。两词共有的“如”都是“象”的意思。但是，“比如”是用两个有些相似但是根本不同事物间的形容。例如说，“说话就比如是骑自行车样，要练习。”这里就不能用“例如”。“例如”是在说明很多相同的事物时，从中拿出一个典型的例子，用这个例子来说明众多的一般的事物。例如：“大家都很无私，例如小李就捐了一万块。”这里用比如好像可以，但是准确的应该是“例如”。

See [here](http://wenku.baidu.com/view/941f119c9ec3d5bbfd0a7471.html)


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