～より (more than / comparative)

• Reading: より
• Romaji: yori
• Formation: B + より + A + が/は + Adj (A is more ~ than B) / より + Adj/Adv (even more ~)

Meaning

An adverb and particle that forms the comparative degree of adjectives and adverbs, expressing 'more ~ than' or 'rather than.' It establishes a standard of comparison.

より serves as the primary comparison marker in Japanese, equivalent to 'than' in English. It can mark the standard being compared against (AはBより大きい = A is bigger than B) or function adverbially to mean 'more' or 'further' (より良い結果 = better results). When used adverbially without a specific comparison target, より intensifies the adjective or adverb, suggesting improvement over a previous state. The pattern より～方が adds explicit preference: BよりAの方がいい (A is better than B). Unlike English where 'more' changes position depending on the adjective, より always precedes the predicate or follows the compared element. In formal writing, よりも adds emphasis to the comparison.

Examples

1. 今日は昨日より暖かい。 Today is warmer than yesterday.
2. 電車よりバスの方が安い。 The bus is cheaper than the train.
3. より多くの人にこの情報を届けたい。 I want to deliver this information to more people.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: comparative

Do Say

• 去年よりも売上が増えている。
• 走るより歩く方が好きだ。
• この問題はより慎重に検討する必要がある。

Don't Say

• 東京より大阪より京都が好きだ。(より cannot be stacked for multiple comparisons; use the ～の中で一番 pattern instead) → 東京と大阪と京都の中で、京都が一番好きだ。
• 彼はより背が高い。(When using より adverbially without a comparison target, it fits formal or written contexts; in casual speech, use もっと) → 彼はもっと背が高い。

Origin & History

より originally meant 'from' in classical Japanese, indicating a starting point. The comparative meaning evolved from this spatial origin — measuring 'from' a reference point to determine which is greater, a semantic shift found in many world languages.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal