Word
より
Meaning in Englishthan
Sentence
Related sentences
N5
今日は昨日より寒いです。
Kyou wa kinou yori samui desu.
Today is colder than yesterday.
N5
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.
N5
私は水よりお茶が好きです。
Watashi wa mizu yori ocha ga suki desu.
I like tea more than water.
N5
日本語のほうが英語より難しいです。
Nihongo no hou ga eigo yori muzukashii desu.
Japanese is more difficult than English.
N5
今日は昨日より忙しいです。
Kyou wa kinou yori isogashii desu.
Today I am busier than yesterday.
N5
今日は昨日より寒くないです。
Kyou wa kinou yori samukunai desu.
Today is not colder 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