Yori and Hou Ga: Compare Two Things

In a comparison, より marks the reference point and ほう identifies the side being highlighted. Read the whole structure before choosing which thing is larger, cheaper, or preferred. Reversing the noun positions can reverse the comparison.

Formation and use

AはBより高い means A is more expensive or taller than B, according to context. B is the comparison standard. Japanese does not add a separate “more” ending to 高い.

AよりBのほうが高い highlights B. With nouns, use の before ほう: 電車のほうが速い. Do not copy the English word order without tracking the particles.

Comparisons and common errors

Ask AとBと、どちらのほうが好きですか to compare two choices. A short answer such as Aのほうが好きです is enough once the alternatives are known.

A negative comparison such as AはBほど高くない uses a different pattern. This lesson keeps the focus on より and ほうが; do not interpret a negative sentence by ignoring ない.

Practise with explanations

Try the 10 questions below, or open the practice set. Check each answer or the whole set, read the explanation, and retry mistakes. First-attempt results are kept separately on this device.

Connected lessons

• Ichiban: Say Which Is the Most Within a Group
• Japanese I-Adjectives: Negative and Past Forms
• Japanese Na-Adjectives: Na, Da, and Conjugation