より
More than, Over
Structure
Noun + より + Adjective
Explanation
You may recall using より in the comparative structure より～のほうが from your previous studies. This lesson, however, will focus on how this case marking particle functions on its own. When used independently, より indicates the standard of comparison. The noun it follows, (A), is presented as having less of a certain quality than the subject of the sentence, (B). In essence, the sentence highlights that (B) is 'more' (adjective) than (A).
- 象は猫より大きい。Elephants are bigger than cats.
- 電車はバスより速い。Trains are faster than buses.
Caution
A common point of confusion is thinking that より means 'more'. In reality, the noun it marks is the one that is 'less' of a certain quality. The item marked with は or が is the one that is 'more' of that quality. This can be especially tricky in spoken Japanese, where より may appear without being attached to a noun, functioning as an adverb.
- あちらがより安い商品になります。That one over there is the more inexpensive option.
In this example, あちら is marked by が, identifying it as the 'cheaper' item. Since より is not attached to any other noun, it functions as an adverb meaning 'more'. It implies a comparison against some other unstated alternative. When you encounter より used this way, you can understand it as 'more (adjective) in comparison to the others'.
Examples
夏は冬より暑い。
Summer is hotter than winter.
バスより電車が速い。
The train is faster than the bus.
この時計はその時計より高い。
This watch is more expensive than that one.
弟は私より背が高い。
My younger brother is taller than me.
コーヒーより紅茶の方が好きです。
I like black tea more than coffee.
海より山に行きたい。
I want to go to the mountains more than the sea.
見た目より味の方が大事だ。
The taste is more important than the appearance.
電話で話すより、メッセージを送るの方が簡単だ。
Sending a message is easier than talking on the phone.
猫より犬の方が忠実だと思う。
I think dogs are more loyal than cats.
自分で作るより、レストランで食べるの方がいい。
Eating at a restaurant is better than making it myself.
読むより、映画で見るの方が面白い。
It's more interesting to watch it as a movie than to read it.
予想していたより人が多かった。
There were more people than I had expected.