〜は〜より wa ... yori

〜は〜より（wa ... yori）means “A is more ... than B”. This is the basic comparison pattern. Formation: N1 は N2 より + A（い形/な形）です

A is more ... than B

N5

Formation

N1 は N2 より + A（い形/な形）です

Explanation

This is the basic comparison pattern. N1 (marked by 'wa') is the topic being judged, N2 (marked by 'yori', meaning 'than') is the standard of comparison, and the adjective states how N1 exceeds N2. The 'yori' phrase can also come before the topic without changing the meaning.

Examples

とうきょうはおおさかよりひとがおおいです。
とうきょうは おおさかより ひとが おおいです。
Tokyo has more people than Osaka.
ひこうきはでんしゃよりはやいです。
ひこうきは でんしゃより はやいです。
Planes are faster than trains.

Note

Unlike English, there is no separate word for 'more'; the adjective alone carries the comparative meaning thanks to 'yori'.

FAQ

〜は〜より — what does it mean and how is it used?

A is more ... than B. This is the basic comparison pattern. N1 (marked by 'wa') is the topic being judged, N2 (marked by 'yori', meaning 'than') is the standard of comparison, and the adjective states how N1 exceeds N2. The 'yori' phrase can also come before the topic without changing the meaning.

〜は〜より — how do you form it?

N1 は N2 より + A（い形/な形）です

〜は〜より — any usage notes?

Unlike English, there is no separate word for 'more'; the adjective alone carries the comparative meaning thanks to 'yori'.

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