Word
より
Meaning in Englishthan
Sentence
Related sentences
N3
新しい店に入ってみたところ思ったより静かだった
Atarashii mise ni haitte mita tokoro omotta yori shizuka datta
When I entered the new shop it was quieter than expected
N3
彼は怒っているというより困っているように見える
Kare wa okotte iru to iu yori komatte iru you ni mieru
He seems more troubled than angry
N3
この部屋は前より広くなったように感じる
Kono heya wa mae yori hiroku natta you ni kanjiru
This room feels larger than before
N4
日本語が前より分かるようになりました。
Nihongo ga mae yori wakaru you ni narimashita.
I have become able to understand Japanese better than before.
N4
今日は昨日より暑いです。
Kyou wa kinou yori atsui desu.
Today is hotter than yesterday.
N4
この店はあの店より安いです。
Kono mise wa ano mise yori yasui desu.
This store is cheaper than that one.
N4
予定より早く終わりました。
Yotei yori hayaku owarimashita.
It finished earlier than planned.
N4
この問題は思ったより難しいです。
Kono mondai wa omotta yori muzukashii desu.
This problem is harder than I thought.
N4
昨日より今日は暖かいです。
Kinou yori kyou wa atatakai desu.
Today is warmer than yesterday.
Word context
What it means
What does より mean? It marks the reference point in a comparison or origin, and it is used to express 'than' in comparisons as well as 'from' in spatial or temporal phrases, signaling relative degree or starting point.
Main meanings
- Used as a comparative marker to indicate that the second item is greater or lesser in degree relative to the first (XよりY meaning Y is more or less than X).
- Indicates origin or starting point in space or time, translating to 'from' or 'out of' depending on context.
- When paired with も to form よりも, it adds emphasis or contrast in a comparison.
How to use it
Follows a noun or clause to set the reference point for a comparison or origin. Works with adjectives, verbs, and nouns; formal and casual contexts; common patterns include XよりY, XよりもY.
Variants and close terms
- より — romaji: yori
- よりも — romaji: yorimo
Word class
particle (助詞)
Grammar