「より」- Comparative Marker

Explanation

〜より is used to indicate a comparison, meaning "more than" or "compared to." It sets a benchmark for comparison, with the focus usually on the latter part of the sentence.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Noun + より	Noun + より	Indicates a comparison between two things, with the first noun as the benchmark and the second as the focus of the description.

Basic Usage

〜より is used to compare differences between two things. For example:

• 彼かれは私わたしより背せが高たかい。
• Kare wa watashi yori se ga takai.
• He is taller than me.
  

In this sentence, "私わたしより" is the benchmark for comparison, while "彼かれは背せが高たかい" is the focus of the description.

Examples

• 彼かれは私わたしが思おもったより優すぐれている。
• Kare wa watashi ga omotta yori sugureteiru.
• He is more outstanding than I thought.
  

• この本このほんはあの本あのほんより面白おもしろい。
• Kono hon wa ano hon yori omoshiroi.
• This book is more interesting than that one.
  

Deep Dive

〜より is not only used for simple comparisons but can also express the gap between expectations and reality. For example:

• 息子むすこが考かんがえたより、立派りっぱになった。
• Musuko ga kangaeta yori, rippa ni natta.
• My son has become more impressive than I expected.
  

• 彼かれは私わたしが予想よそうしたより早はやく仕事しごとを終おわらせた。
• Kare wa watashi ga yosou shita yori hayaku shigoto o owaraseta.
• He finished the work faster than I expected.
  

Comparison and Distinction

Grammar	Usage	Example
〜より	Directly compares differences between two things	彼かれは私わたしより速はやく走はしる。

Real-Life Scenarios

• Conversation 1:
  • A：彼かれの身長しんちょうはどのくらい？
  • B：彼かれは私わたしより10センチ高たかいよ。
  • A：How tall is he?
  • B：He is 10 centimeters taller than me.
    
• Scenario 1:
  • At the school sports festival, the teacher says: “去年きょねんの大会たいかいより、今年ことしの参加者さんかしゃが多おおいですね。”
  • Teacher: There are more participants in this year's sports festival than last year.
    

Summary

〜より is a commonly used comparative structure in Japanese. Understanding its usage and nuances is essential for improving Japanese language skills.

 

 

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「より」- Expressing Preference

Explanation

「より」 is used to express "rather than" or "more than," indicating a preference when comparing two things.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Verb Plain Form/Noun + より	Verb Plain Form/Noun	〜より is used to express preference. It typically introduces a reference point first, followed by より to highlight that the latter is more preferable in some aspect.

Deep Dive

〜より can connect to verbs in their plain form or nouns to express comparison. For example:

• コーヒーこーひーより紅茶こうちゃの方ほうが好すきです。
• Kōhī yori kōcha no hō ga suki desu.
• I prefer tea rather than coffee.
  

In this sentence, より introduces the reference point "coffee," while "ほうが" emphasizes that "tea" is the preferred choice.

〜より can also be used to compare suitability for different roles, for example:

• 彼かれは先生せんせいより学生がくせいの方ほうが向むいている。
• Kare wa sensei yori gakusei no hō ga muite iru.
• He is more suited to being a student rather than a teacher.
  

Real-Life Examples

• 今日きょうの天気てんきは昨日きのうよりいいですね。
• Kyō no tenki wa kinō yori ii desu ne.
• The weather today is better than yesterday.
  

• 走はしるより歩あるく方ほうが好すきです。
• Hashiru yori aruku hō ga suki desu.
• I prefer walking rather than running.
  

Summary

〜より is widely used to express preferences in Japanese. By using it appropriately, you can enhance the flexibility and nuance of your Japanese expressions.