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Learning Japanese

Comparing Things in Japanese: Yori, Hou ga, Ichiban and More

By the Hanabuddies team · · 2 min read

To compare two things in Japanese, use より (yori, “than”) after the thing you are comparing against: 東京は大阪より大きいです (Tokyo is bigger than Osaka). To put the focus on the winner, add のほう (no hou, “the side of”): 大阪より東京のほうが大きいです. To ask which of two is better, use どちら or どっち, and for “the most” use 一番 (ichiban). Unlike English, the adjective itself never changes: there is no “bigger” or “biggest” form. This guide walks through each pattern with examples and the mistakes learners make most.

A は B より ~ (A is more ~ than B)

The basic pattern. The thing after より is the one being compared against.

  • 電車はバスより速いです。The train is faster than the bus.
  • 今日は昨日より寒いです。Today is colder than yesterday.
  • 姉は私より背が高いです。My older sister is taller than me.

It works with verbs and adverbs too: 兄は私よりよく食べます (My brother eats more than I do).

B より A のほうが ~ (A is more ~ than B)

Adding のほうが puts the spotlight on A, and it is the natural way to answer a “which” question. The order can also be A のほうが B より ~.

  • コーヒーより紅茶のほうが好きです。I prefer tea to coffee.
  • メールより電話のほうが早いです。A phone call is quicker than email.

With verbs, use the plain form before ほう: 自分で作るほうが安いです (Making it yourself is cheaper).

Asking which is better: どちら / どっち

  • A と B と、どちらが好きですか。Which do you like better, A or B?
  • 月曜日と火曜日、どっちがいい？Monday or Tuesday, which is better? (casual)

Answer with のほう: 火曜日のほうがいいです. If you like both equally: どちらも好きです.

The most: 一番 (ichiban)

For three or more things, use の中で (among) and 一番.

  • 果物の中で何が一番好きですか。What fruit do you like most?
  • 家族の中で父が一番早く起きます。My father gets up earliest in my family.
  • 日本で一番高い山は富士山です。The highest mountain in Japan is Mount Fuji.

To ask about people, places and times, change the question word: 誰が, どこが, いつが一番～ですか.

As … as, and not as … as

  • 同じくらい: 弟は私と同じくらい背が高いです。My younger brother is about as tall as me.
  • ほど ~ ない: 今年は去年ほど暑くないです。This year isn’t as hot as last year. ほど is only used with a negative.

Common mistakes

  • Looking for a “-er” form. 大きい stays 大きい; より does the comparing.
  • Mixing up the order. より follows the loser, not the winner. 犬より猫 means “cats more than dogs.”
  • Using ほど in a positive sentence. Say 去年より暑い, not 去年ほど暑い.
  • Forgetting が after のほう. In comparisons, のほうが is the usual pairing.

Comparisons build on adjectives and particles, so see Japanese adjectives and Japanese particles explained. For saying what you want, see tai and hoshii.

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