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Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N5 · Beginner 1

〜は〜より〜です~ wa ~ yori ~ desu

comparison: more than

Use 〜は〜より〜です to describe one thing as having a quality more strongly than the comparison point.

Start the interactive lessonIllustrated cards, audio and speaking practice

How it works

  1. Look at the menu. Which is cheaper? To compare two things, use 「AはBより〜です」。

    Look at the menu. Which is cheaper? To compare two things, use 「AはBより〜です」。

  2. The thing before 「は」 is what we are describing. In the picture, we are talking about soba: it is cheaper than ramen.

    The thing before 「は」 is what we are describing. In the picture, we are talking about soba: it is cheaper than ramen.

  3. The thing before 「より」 is the reference for the comparison. In the picture, we compare against the price of ramen.

    The thing before 「より」 is the reference for the comparison. In the picture, we compare against the price of ramen.

  4. After 「より」, use an adjective without changing its form: 「高いです」「にぎやかです」。

    After 「より」, use an adjective without changing its form: 「高いです」「にぎやかです」。

  5. The example compares prices in two cities. After 「上海」, the understood 「の物価」 is omitted.

    The example compares prices in two cities. After 「上海」, the understood 「の物価」 is omitted.

  6. 「より高い」 only means that prices are higher in comparison. It does not mean that prices in the other city are necessarily low.

    「より高い」 only means that prices are higher in comparison. It does not mean that prices in the other city are necessarily low.

Example sentences

  • 北京ぺきんpekinはわwa東京とうきょうtoukyouよりyoriにぎやかです。にぎやかですnigiyakadesu

    Beijing is more lively than Tokyo.

  • 東京とうきょうtoukyouのno物価

In a conversation

  • A
    北京ぺきんと東京とうきょうとどちらがにぎやかですか。か

    A: Which is more lively, Beijing or Tokyo?

  • B
    北京ぺきんはわ東京とうきょうよりにぎやかですよ。

Check yourself

  1. Level 1 · Recognise

    Which sentence is correct?

  2. Level 1 · Recognise

    Listen and choose the meaning

  3. Level 2 · Build

    Put the words in order

    Soba is cheaper than ramen.

  4. Level 3 · Use

    What goes in the blank?

    北京は 大きいです。

    Beijing is bigger than Tokyo.

More grammar in this theme

  • 〜は〜より〜ですcomparison: more than

Keep practising

Test your Japanese vocabulary12 adaptive questions, freeCheck your pronunciationRead aloud and get a scorePractise verb forms10-question conjugation quizSee the whole courseGrammar, vocabulary and quizzes by theme
ぶっか
bukka
はわwa
上海しゃんはいshanhai
よりyori
高いです。たかいですtakaidesu

Tokyo's prices are higher than Shanghai's.

よ

B: Beijing is more lively than Tokyo.

  • A
    そうですか。か食べ物たべものはわどちらがおいしいですか。か

    A: I see. Which food is more delicious?

  • B
    それはわ東京とうきょうのほうがおいしいです。おいしいです

    B: That one, Tokyo's food is more delicious.

    • A
      ラーメンらーめんとそばとどちらがやすいですか。か

      A: Which is cheaper, ramen or soba?

    • B
      そばはわラーメンらーめんよりやすいです。です

      B: Soba is cheaper than ramen.

    • A
      じゃあ、じゃあそばにします。します

      A: Then I'll have soba.

    • A
      ロレックスろれっくすとオメガおめがではわどちらがいいですか。か

      A: Which is better, Rolex or Omega?

    • B
      オメガおめがはわロレックスろれっくすよりやすいです。です

      B: Omega is cheaper than Rolex.

    • A
      じゃあ、じゃあオメガおめがにします。します

      A: Then I'll go with Omega.

    〜ませんか／〜ましょうinvite, suggest, or agree
    〜はちょっと…soft, indirect refusal
    〜で〜がありますevent at a place; something exists
    〜で〜がいちばん〜ですthe most within a range
    〜と〜とどちらが〜ですかwhich of two is more
    もう〜ましたかask if already done
    〜はどうですかhow about this option
    〜よ／〜ねshare or confirm information
    Previous〜と〜とどちらが〜ですか
    Nextもう〜ましたか