Grammar JLPT Level N4 - Lesson 6
Structure of より:
Noun/Verb + より + Adjective
Details about より:
In N5, we learned about the use of より that is seen when making comparisons in より~のほうが. However, in this lesson, we will take a look at how this case marking particlecan be used by itself. When used alone, this particle expresses that (A) (a noun or verb) is being compared to (B) (a noun or verb that is regularly paired with an adjective). The word that より is directly attached to will always be 'less than' the comparison being made. However, the overall expression is used to describe that (B) is 'more' (something) than (A).
- パンダはバナナより重い。Pandas are heavier than bananas.
- 太陽はロウソクより明るい。The sun is brighter than a candle.
より
Usage Notes for より:
In many textbooks, より is taught as meaning 'more', but the word that より is attached to will actually be the thing that is 'less' (something). The word/quote that has が attached to it will be the thing that is 'more' (adjective). This is particularly confusing when より is not directly attached to a word, something which is common in casual spoken language.
- これがより高いものになります。This is the thing that would be more expensive. (Compared to everything else that is here)
Synonyms for より:
ほど~ない
Is not as…as, Isn't... like..., Not to the extent of...
より~のほうが
To be more ~ than ~
というより
...is more of a... than a..., Rather than saying that...
以上に
More than, No less than, Even more
こそ
For sure, For certain, Even more so, Underlined or bolded text
以上 ①
More than (or equal to), Over・(and) above, Any more・Greater, Exceeding
Example of より
あなたの絵は私の絵より上手。
Your paintings are better than mine.
月曜日より日曜日がいい。
Sunday is better than Monday.
日本語は英語より話しにくい。
Japanese is harder to speak than English.
いつも飲んでいる水より好き。
I like this (drink) more than the water that I usually drink.
スポーツをするより、ゲームの方が楽しい。
Video games are more exciting than sports.
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