When learning Japanese, one of the essential grammatical structures you will encounter is the use of より (yori) for making comparisons. Just as in English, comparing things is a fundamental part of communication. Whether you are describing preferences, differences, or similarities, understanding how to use より can greatly enhance your language skills. This article aims to delve deep into the various ways より is used for comparisons in Japanese, providing you with the tools to express comparative thoughts effectively.
Basic Structure of より for Comparisons
The fundamental structure for using より in Japanese can be broken down into a simple formula:
[Thing A] は [Thing B] より [Adjective/Verb].
In this formula:
– [Thing A] represents the subject being compared.
– [Thing B] represents the subject to which Thing A is being compared.
– [Adjective/Verb] describes the quality or action being compared.
Let’s look at an example to make this clearer:
– 日本はイギリスより大きいです。
– Nihon wa Igirisu yori ookii desu.
– Japan is bigger than the UK.
In this sentence:
– 日本 (Nihon) is Thing A.
– イギリス (Igirisu) is Thing B.
– 大きい (ookii) is the adjective meaning “big.”
Positive Comparisons
Positive comparisons are straightforward and use the basic formula mentioned above. Here are some examples:
– 彼は私より背が高いです。
– Kare wa watashi yori se ga takai desu.
– He is taller than I am.
– この本はあの本より面白いです。
– Kono hon wa ano hon yori omoshiroi desu.
– This book is more interesting than that book.
Notice that in these sentences, より is placed immediately after the noun or pronoun representing Thing B. This tells us that Thing A possesses more of the quality described by the adjective or verb than Thing B.
Negative Comparisons
Negative comparisons follow a similar structure but often involve negating the adjective or verb to express that Thing A is less than Thing B in some respect. Here’s how you do it:
– この部屋はあの部屋より広くないです。
– Kono heya wa ano heya yori hirokunai desu.
– This room is not as spacious as that room.
– 彼女は彼より英語が上手ではありません。
– Kanojo wa kare yori eigo ga jouzu de wa arimasen.
– She is not as good at English as he is.
In these sentences, the negative form of the adjective or verb is used to show that Thing A is less than Thing B in some respect.
Comparing Quantities
When comparing quantities, より can also be used effectively. Here, the focus shifts from adjectives to nouns representing quantities. The structure is as follows:
[Thing A] は [Thing B] より [Quantity/Amount] です。
Examples:
– この箱はあの箱より重いです。
– Kono hako wa ano hako yori omoi desu.
– This box is heavier than that box.
– 私は彼よりお金を持っています。
– Watashi wa kare yori okane o motteimasu.
– I have more money than he does.
In these examples, the nouns 重い (omoi, meaning “heavy”) and お金 (okane, meaning “money”) are used to compare quantities or amounts.
Comparisons Involving Verbs
Using より for comparisons is not limited to adjectives and nouns; it can also be used with verbs to compare actions. The structure changes slightly to accommodate the verb:
[Thing A] は [Thing B] より [Verb]。
Examples:
– 私は彼より早く走ります。
– Watashi wa kare yori hayaku hashirimasu.
– I run faster than he does.
– 彼女は私より勉強します。
– Kanojo wa watashi yori benkyou shimasu.
– She studies more than I do.
In these sentences, the verbs 走ります (hashirimasu, meaning “to run”) and 勉強します (benkyou shimasu, meaning “to study”) follow より to describe the comparative action.
Double Comparisons
Sometimes, you may want to make comparisons involving two qualities or actions. In Japanese, this can be done by using より twice in the same sentence. The structure is:
[Thing A] は [Thing B] より [Adjective/Verb 1] し、[Adjective/Verb 2] です。
Examples:
– この車はあの車より速いし、燃費もいいです。
– Kono kuruma wa ano kuruma yori hayai shi, nenpi mo ii desu.
– This car is faster and more fuel-efficient than that car.
– 彼は私より背が高いし、スポーツも上手です。
– Kare wa watashi yori se ga takai shi, supootsu mo jouzu desu.
– He is taller and better at sports than I am.
In these sentences, two qualities or actions are being compared to emphasize that Thing A surpasses Thing B in multiple respects.
Common Pitfalls and Mistakes
While using より for comparisons is generally straightforward, there are some common pitfalls and mistakes that learners should be aware of:
1. **Forgetting to Use the Correct Form of Adjectives and Verbs**: Ensure that you are using the appropriate form of the adjective or verb when making comparisons. For example, forgetting to use the negative form when making a negative comparison can lead to confusion.
2. **Misplacing より**: より should always follow Thing B, the subject to which Thing A is being compared. Misplacing より can result in grammatically incorrect sentences.
3. **Overusing より**: While より is a useful tool, overusing it can make your speech or writing repetitive. Try to vary your sentence structures to keep your language engaging.
Practical Applications
Understanding how to use より for comparisons can significantly enhance your ability to communicate in Japanese. Here are some practical applications:
1. **Expressing Preferences**:
– 私は犬より猫が好きです。
– Watashi wa inu yori neko ga suki desu.
– I like cats more than dogs.
2. **Giving Directions or Advice**:
– この道はあの道より早いです。
– Kono michi wa ano michi yori hayai desu.
– This road is faster than that road.
3. **Making Decisions**:
– このレストランはあのレストランより安いです。
– Kono resutoran wa ano resutoran yori yasui desu.
– This restaurant is cheaper than that restaurant.
Advanced Comparisons
As you become more comfortable with より, you can start exploring more advanced comparisons. Here are some examples that show how より can be used in more complex sentences:
1. **Comparative Clauses**:
– 彼が私より早く帰ったことは驚きました。
– Kare ga watashi yori hayaku kaetta koto wa odorokimashita.
– It was surprising that he returned home earlier than I did.
2. **Using より with ほど**:
– 彼女は彼ほど背が高くありません。
– Kanojo wa kare hodo se ga takaku arimasen.
– She is not as tall as he is.
In this sentence, ほど (hodo) is used to indicate the extent of the comparison, showing that Thing A does not possess the quality to the same extent as Thing B.
Cultural Nuances
Understanding cultural nuances can also help you use より more effectively. In Japanese culture, direct comparisons can sometimes be considered impolite or too blunt, especially in formal settings. In such cases, you might want to use softer language or indirect comparisons to convey your point without causing offense.
For example:
– こちらの方が少し安いと思います。
– Kochira no hou ga sukoshi yasui to omoimasu.
– I think this one is a bit cheaper.
In this sentence, the speaker uses indirect language to make a comparison, which can be seen as more polite.
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding of using より for comparisons, here are some practice exercises. Try translating these sentences into Japanese using より:
1. This book is more expensive than that one.
2. She is better at singing than I am.
3. This movie is less interesting than the one we watched last week.
4. I have more free time than my sister.
5. This smartphone is faster and has a better camera than my old one.
Answers:
1. この本はあの本より高いです。
2. 彼女は私より歌が上手です。
3. この映画は先週見た映画より面白くないです。
4. 私は妹より自由な時間があります。
5. このスマートフォンは前のより速いし、カメラも良いです。
Conclusion
Using より for comparisons is an essential skill for anyone learning Japanese. It allows you to express differences, preferences, and comparisons effectively, making your communication more nuanced and precise. By understanding the basic structure, practicing with different types of comparisons, and being aware of common pitfalls, you can master the use of より in your Japanese language journey. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll find that making comparisons in Japanese becomes second nature!
