よりも

よりも means than; rather than. It is a JLPT N3 grammar pattern used to make a comparison with stronger emphasis than simple より.

This grammar point often appears in neutral Japanese. If you want to make a comparison with stronger emphasis than simple より, よりも is a useful pattern to learn.

What does よりも mean?

Use よりも when you want to make a comparison with stronger emphasis than simple より.

Natural translations include:

• than; rather than
• than
• than / rather than

How to form よりも

Noun / phrase + よりも

Examples of the pattern:

• 昨日よりも
• 思ったよりも
• 東京よりも

When is よりも used?

Use よりも in situations like:

• explaining grammar in context
• answering JLPT reading questions
• making natural Japanese sentences

Tone and register:

• neutral
• Common in JLPT reading, grammar questions, and natural Japanese sentences

よりも example sentences

• 今日は昨日よりも寒い。 — Today is colder than yesterday.
• 思ったよりも簡単でした。 — It was easier than I expected.
• 私はコーヒーよりもお茶が好きです。 — I like tea more than coffee.
• 説明を読むよりも、実際に使った方が分かりやすい。 — Rather than reading the explanation, actually using it is easier to understand.
• 東京よりも京都の方が静かだと思います。 — I think Kyoto is quieter than Tokyo.

Nuance of よりも

The key nuance is a natural way to express “than; rather than” with the right context and tone.

This matters because よりも does more than match a single English phrase. It shows how the speaker frames the reason, comparison, intention, impossibility, distribution, or expected conclusion in the sentence.

For example:

• In context, it sounds natural when the surrounding sentence supports the nuance.
• Compared with より, it has a different focus and level of formality.

よりも vs より

Both よりも and より can appear in related situations, but they are different.

よりも:

• means than; rather than
• fits the specific N3 pattern and nuance explained above

より:

• より is the basic comparison marker; よりも adds emphasis or contrast

Quick contrast examples:

• Target: 今日は昨日よりも寒い。 — Today is colder than yesterday.
• Compare: Try replacing it with より and check whether the nuance still matches.

Common mistakes with よりも

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Using よりも with the wrong form
• Confusing よりも with より
• Translating it too literally instead of reading the whole sentence

Is よりも on the JLPT?

Yes. よりも is commonly taught as JLPT N3 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

Practice questions for よりも

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Write one sentence using よりも.
• Contrast よりも with より.
• Make a JLPT-style sentence where the context makes the meaning clear.

Learning path for よりも

To learn よりも efficiently, review より comparisons first, then decide whether the sentence compares directly or says reality differs from expectation.

1. First, make sure you can form よりも without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with に比べて, 割に（わりに）. These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.
3. Finally, write sentences comparing people, places, effort, price, or results; then check whether replacing よりも with にしては changes the meaning.

Related grammar to review next

• に比べて — because it also compares two things or sets expectations against reality.
• 割に（わりに） — because it also compares two things or sets expectations against reality.
• にしては — because it also compares two things or sets expectations against reality.
• より — because it also compares two things or sets expectations against reality.

Learn よりも with Hane

If you want to review よりも together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

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