JPEDLAB iconJPEDLAB
Save history

Create an account and play

Explore first, then save your progress whenever you are ready. No email address is required.

Start free
Read as articleCards
1/11

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

››

Lesson notes · ≈ 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.

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.

  • 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.

  • 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」。

  • 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.

  • 「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.

    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。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
      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

    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

    • 〜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
    • 〜は〜より〜ですcomparison: more than
    • 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

    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
    See the whole course
    Beginner 1
    Appointments
  • A
    じゃあ、じゃあそばにします。します

    A: Then I'll have soba.

    • 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.