Comparison

より

With the following pattern, it means that A is “more” something “than” B.

AはB +

より

+ Adj + です

Example

電車は車より速はやいです。 Trains are faster than cars.

Do not confuse with より.

より(も)

V・N +

より(も)

+ Adj

With this pattern, it just means “more”.

Example

このビルは私のマンションよりも高たかい。 This building is taller than my apartment.

というより

A +

というより

+ B

This form is similar to より(も), but with a sense closer to “rather than”. “It is rather B than A”. Used with verbs, adjectives and nouns.

Example

彼女は恥はずかしがりというより静しずかです。 She is quiet rather than shy.

ほうがいい

Means “should”, or “it would be better”, as an advice. It’s better than not doing it. Used with a verb.

Example

毎日練習れんしゅうするほうがいい。 It’s better to train everyday.

より～ほうが

V

い-Adj

な-Adj + な

N + の

+ ほうが

With the following pattern, it means that B is more than A:

A +

より

+ B +

ほうが

より indicates the lesser thing, and 方ほうが the greater thing.

Example

昨日より今日のほうが寒いです。 Today is colder than yesterday.

に比べて

に比くらべて is used for comparison. Used with nouns.

Example

昨日に比べて、今日は晴れるです。 Compared to yesterday, it is sunny today.

ほど～ない

N +

ほど

+ V・Adj (ない)

Means that the extent has not been reached, so it is not as much. See also ほど.

Example

韓国かんこくほど辛からいの食べ物ものはない。 There’s no food as spicy as Korean food.

中国ちゅうごく料理りょうりは韓国かんこく料理りょうりほど辛からくないです。 Korean food is spicier than Chinese food.

ならまだしも

Means that A is okay, but B is not. “Rather”, “instead”.

Example

寒さむいだけならまだしも、雨あめが降ふているから行きたくない。 It would be fine if it was just cold, but since it’s raining I don’t want to go.

に限る

に限かぎる means “the best is”. Used with verbs and nouns.

Example

パンなら、フランスに限る。 Bread is best in France.

に越したことはない

に越こししたことはない means “there’s nothing better than…“. Implies that it is nice to reach it.

Example

健康けんこうのために早はやく寝ねるに越したことはない。 For your health, it’s best to go to bed early.