以上に
More than, No less than, Even more
Structure
［い］Adjective + 以上に
［な］Adjective + 以上に
Noun + 以上に
以上 + の + Noun
Explanation
Much like other grammar points that use 以上, 以上に is used to emphasize that something exceeds a particular standard or expectation. In this pattern, the case marking particle に attaches to the word that serves as the basis for comparison.
Because (A) is presented as being 'beyond' a certain point, 以上に can be translated as 'more than (A)' or 'beyond (A)'. 以上に can follow the plain form of verbs, い-Adjectives, な-Adjectives, and nouns.
- 昨日見た映画は期待していた以上に面白かった。The movie I saw yesterday was more interesting than I had expected.
- この料理は辛い以上にしょっぱい。More than being spicy, this dish is just salty.
- 心配しないで。あなたはもう十分以上に頑張っているよ。Don't worry. You are already working more than enough.
- 私は犬以上に猫が好きです。I like cats more than dogs.
Sometimes, に can be substituted with の, particularly when 以上 is followed by a noun that signifies a certain quantity or value. The noun modified by の might not be a literal 'amount', but it represents something that the speaker is evaluating against a standard.
- その試験は予想していた以上の難しさだった。The exam was more difficult than I had anticipated.
- 彼は努力した以上の成果を出した。He achieved results that were greater than the effort he put in.
Examples
テストは想像以上に難しかった。
The test was harder than I imagined.
私たちは期待以上の結果を出した。
We achieved results that were beyond our expectations.
私は、犬以上に猫が好きです。
I like cats more than dogs.
今日は昨日以上に寒い気がする。
It feels even colder today than yesterday.
彼は英語以上に日本語をペラペラ話す。
He speaks Japanese more fluently than English.
彼女は勉強以上に、アニメに夢中になっている。
She is more absorbed in anime than her studies.
彼の部屋は、私の部屋以上にきれいだ。
His room is even cleaner than mine.
観客は、選手以上に盛り上がっていた。
The audience was getting more excited than the players themselves.
必要な量以上に、薬を飲んではいけない。
You shouldn't take more medicine than is necessary.
この会社は、品質以上にスピードを重視する。
This company values speed more than quality.
あの子は、親以上にしっかりしているんじゃないかと思うほど大人びている。
That child acts so mature you'd think they were more responsible than their own parents.
私は値段以上に、その服のデザインが気に入った。
I liked the design of those clothes even more than the price.