より

より means than; compared with. It is a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar pattern used to express this idea in natural Japanese.

This English meaning is chosen independently from the source-list gloss so it stays natural, concise, and useful for learners searching for より.

What does より mean?

Use より when you want to express than; compared with in a Japanese sentence.

Natural translations include:

• than; compared with
• than
• compared with

How to form より

Comparison target + より

Examples of the pattern:

• Comparison target + より
• より
• related form: ほうが

The form before the grammar point matters. In JLPT questions, the wrong answer choices often use a similar meaning but attach it to the wrong type of word.

When is より used?

Use より in situations like:

• reading or writing JLPT N4-level sentences
• making a sentence more precise than a basic N5 pattern
• recognizing natural grammar in conversation, signs, or short passages

Tone and register:

• usually neutral unless the pattern itself is casual, formal, or written
• common in JLPT N4 grammar study and everyday Japanese

より example sentences

• 電車はバスより速いです。 — The train is faster than the bus.
• 今日は昨日より寒いです。 — Today is colder than yesterday.
• 私はコーヒーよりお茶が好きです。 — I like tea more than coffee.
• この本はあの本より分かりやすいです。 — This book is easier to understand than that one.
• 思ったより難しかったです。 — It was harder than I thought.

After reading each sentence, ask what job より is doing: marking a comparison target. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation.

Nuance of より

The key nuance is than; compared with in context, not a word-for-word English replacement.

This matters because より can express ability, comparison, intention, appearance, effort, or difficulty depending on the surrounding sentence. Read the whole sentence before choosing the English translation.

より vs ほうが

Both patterns can appear in related sentences, but they do different jobs.

より:

• is the target JLPT N4 pattern in this lesson
• focuses on than; compared with

ほうが:

• is useful for comparison because learners often confuse nearby forms
• may change the tone, direction, evidence, or sentence focus

Quick contrast examples:

• Target pattern: 電車はバスより速いです。 — The train is faster than the bus.
• Related pattern with ほうが: compare what changes in difficulty, comparison, intention, appearance, or certainty.

If both translations seem possible, check the tone. Is the sentence casual, formal, written, explanatory, or emotional? The tone often tells you which grammar point is natural.

Common mistakes with より

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Copying a dictionary gloss without checking the sentence context
• Using the wrong verb, adjective, or noun form
• Confusing より with ほうが because the English can sound similar

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with より, then rewrite it with ほうが. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words.

Is より on the JLPT?

Yes. より is connected to JLPT N4 grammar in this blog.

That means learners should be able to:

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

For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions often test whether you understand the surrounding context, not just the dictionary meaning.

Practice questions for より

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Write one short sentence using the basic structure.
• Replace the subject, time, or object and keep the same grammar point.
• Compare your sentence with the related pattern above.

Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the nuance becomes clear.

Learning path for より

Use より as part of your JLPT N4 comparison, degree, and focus grammar toolkit. Decide what より is comparing, emphasizing, or measuring. Then practice replacing the compared item or degree expression while keeping the same sentence frame.

A good review order is: first make one short sentence with より, then compare it with の中で, and finally add そんなに or さ to see how the nuance changes.

For practice, write one sentence that uses より in its most literal meaning, one sentence that changes the subject or time expression, and one sentence that contrasts it with one of the related patterns below.

Related grammar to review next

• の中で — gives another pattern for comparison, degree, or sentence focus.
• そんなに — gives another pattern for comparison, degree, or sentence focus.
• さ — gives another pattern for comparison, degree, or sentence focus.
• は〜が…は — gives another pattern for comparison, degree, or sentence focus.

Learn より with Hane

If you want to review より together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

• All grammar lessons
• JLPT N4 grammar lessons