より～の方が
To be more ~ than ~
Structure
［い］Adjective (A) + より + ［い］Adjective (B) + 方 + が
［な］Adjective (A) + な + より + ［な］Adjective (B) + な + 方 + が
Noun (A) + より + Noun (B) + の + 方 + が
Explanation
より～のほうが is a comparative structure used to express that one thing is 'more (A)' or 'better as (A)' than another. While it has a similar feeling to grammar points like たほうがいい and ないほうがいい, its use is far broader. This construction allows for the comparison of any two nouns, verbs, or adjectives, as long as the phrase のほうが is followed by an adjective.
In this pattern, より functions as a particle that is best translated as 'than' or 'in comparison to'.
- バスで行くより、電車の方が速い。Taking the train is faster than going by bus.
- 猫より、犬の方が好きだ。I like dogs more than cats.
- 辛い料理より、甘い料理の方がいい。I prefer sweet dishes over spicy ones.
From the examples shown, you can see that when used with のほうが, より will always follow the item that is of a lesser degree in the comparison.
Caution
When より appears by itself or is not directly attached to the preceding noun, its function might seem different. However, in these instances, the のほうが part of the comparison is simply implied rather than stated outright.
- こちらがより安全です。This one is safer. (Compared to other options in general)
In this kind of sentence, the particle が takes on a role similar to のほうが, indicating that こちら is the 'safer' option. The word より then functions to mean 'more' or 'comparatively', with the comparison being made against an unstated alternative or group of alternatives.
Caution
Although の方が is the most frequent construction, the particle を may appear in place of が. This occurs most often with expressions of desire, such as たい and ほしい. The difference between using が and を is one of nuance; が tends to emphasize the person's desire (the statement as a whole), while を puts more focus on the specific item or action being desired. With たい, both particles sound perfectly natural. With ほしい, が is more common, but を is also acceptable.
- お金を貯めるより、新しい服の方を買いたい。I'd rather buy new clothes than save money. (Natural Japanese)
- この赤いペンより、その青いペンの方を欲しい。I want that blue pen more than this red one. (Natural Japanese, but が is more common)
Note that this usage of ほしい is limited to wanting physical items, whereas たい expresses the desire to perform an action.
Examples
犬より猫のほうがかわいいです。
Cats are cuter than dogs.
コーヒーよりお茶のほうが好き。
I like tea more than coffee.
弟より兄のほうが背が高い。
My older brother is taller than my younger brother.
東京より、京都のほうが好き。
I like Kyoto more than Tokyo.
あそこのレストランより、駅の前にあるレストランのほうが安い。
The restaurant in front of the station is cheaper than that one over there.
うどんよりラーメンのほうが食べたい。
I want to eat ramen more than udon.
家で映画を見るより、映画館で見るほうがおもしろい。
Watching a movie at a theater is more interesting than watching one at home.
飛行機より、新幹線のほうが便利だ。
The bullet train is more convenient than the airplane.
夏より、冬のほうが寒い。
Winter is colder than summer.
ひとりで勉強するより、みんなと勉強するほうが好きでしょう。
You like studying with everyone more than studying alone, right?
アパートより、一軒家のほうが静かだ。
A detached house is quieter than an apartment.
あたらしいスマホより、あたらしいパソコンのほうを買いたい。
I want to buy a new computer more than a new smartphone.