Forming comparisons in any language can be a bit tricky, and Japanese is no exception. The construction (〜より〜) is a fundamental part of making comparisons in Japanese, and understanding how to use it can greatly enhance your ability to communicate more precisely. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of forming comparisons using (〜より〜), providing you with the tools and examples you need to master this important aspect of Japanese grammar.
Understanding the Basics
In English, when we want to compare two things, we typically use words like “more,” “less,” or the suffix “-er” (e.g., “taller,” “shorter”). In Japanese, the structure is quite different. The particle より (yori) is used to indicate the standard of comparison, essentially meaning “than” in English. The basic structure for making a comparison in Japanese is:
A より B (B is more than A)
Here, A is the item being compared against, and B is the item being compared. It’s important to remember that the adjective or verb describing the comparison is placed after B.
Example Sentences
1. 私は兄より背が高いです。 (Watashi wa ani yori se ga takai desu.)
– I am taller than my older brother.
2. この本はあの本より面白いです。 (Kono hon wa ano hon yori omoshiroi desu.)
– This book is more interesting than that book.
3. 日本語はフランス語より難しいです。 (Nihongo wa Furansugo yori muzukashii desu.)
– Japanese is more difficult than French.
In these examples, より (yori) is used to compare two nouns, with the adjective or verb following the second noun to describe the nature of the comparison.
Comparison with Adjectives
When comparing adjectives, the structure remains the same. The adjective will follow the より (yori) construction. Here are some more examples to illustrate:
1. 彼は私より速く走ります。 (Kare wa watashi yori hayaku hashirimasu.)
– He runs faster than me.
2. この車はあの車より新しいです。 (Kono kuruma wa ano kuruma yori atarashii desu.)
– This car is newer than that car.
In the first example, 速く (hayaku) is the adverbial form of the adjective 速い (hayai), meaning “fast.” In the second example, 新しい (atarashii) is an adjective meaning “new.”
Comparison with Verbs
You can also use より (yori) to compare actions, where verbs are involved. The structure remains consistent, but the verbs will need to be conjugated appropriately. Let’s look at some examples:
1. 彼女は私より早く起きます。 (Kanojo wa watashi yori hayaku okimasu.)
– She wakes up earlier than I do.
2. 彼は私より多く食べます。 (Kare wa watashi yori ooku tabemasu.)
– He eats more than I do.
In these sentences, the verbs 起きます (okimasu, to wake up) and 食べます (tabemasu, to eat) are conjugated to match the subject.
Using Nouns in Comparisons
Sometimes, you might want to compare the quantity or extent of nouns. In such cases, the structure remains the same, but you might need to use additional words to clarify the comparison. Here are a few examples:
1. 今年の冬は去年の冬より寒いです。 (Kotoshi no fuyu wa kyonen no fuyu yori samui desu.)
– This winter is colder than last winter.
2. 私の家はあなたの家より大きいです。 (Watashi no ie wa anata no ie yori ookii desu.)
– My house is bigger than your house.
In these examples, the nouns (今年の冬, kotoshi no fuyu – this winter; 去年の冬, kyonen no fuyu – last winter; 私の家, watashi no ie – my house; あなたの家, anata no ie – your house) are being compared, and the adjectives 寒い (samui, cold) and 大きい (ookii, big) describe the nature of the comparison.
Using より with ほうが (hou ga)
Another important structure to be aware of when making comparisons in Japanese is the combination of より (yori) with ほうが (hou ga). This construction emphasizes that B is more [adjective] than A. The structure looks like this:
A より B のほうが adjective です。
Here are some examples:
1. 犬より猫のほうが好きです。 (Inu yori neko no hou ga suki desu.)
– I like cats more than dogs.
2. 映画より本のほうが楽しいです。 (Eiga yori hon no hou ga tanoshii desu.)
– Books are more enjoyable than movies.
3. 車より自転車のほうが便利です。 (Kuruma yori jitensha no hou ga benri desu.)
– Bicycles are more convenient than cars.
In these examples, the combination of より and ほうが helps to clearly indicate the preference or superiority of one item over another.
Common Mistakes and Pitfalls
Learning to use より (yori) correctly involves understanding some common mistakes that learners often make. Here are a few pitfalls to be aware of:
1. Incorrect Word Order
One of the most common mistakes is getting the word order wrong. Remember, the item being compared (A) comes before より, and the item it is compared to (B) comes after. For example:
Incorrect: 私より兄は背が高いです。
Correct: 私は兄より背が高いです。
2. Omitting Necessary Particles
Particles play a crucial role in Japanese sentence structure. Omitting necessary particles like は (wa) or の (no) can lead to confusion. For instance:
Incorrect: 車より自転車便利です。
Correct: 車より自転車のほうが便利です。
3. Mixing up Adjectives and Adverbs
Adjectives and adverbs have different forms in Japanese, and it’s important to use them correctly in comparisons. For example:
Incorrect: 彼女は私より速い起きます。
Correct: 彼女は私より早く起きます。
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding of using より (yori) in comparisons, try these practice exercises. Translate the following sentences into Japanese:
1. This apple is sweeter than that apple.
2. My car is more expensive than your car.
3. She sings better than I do.
4. This movie is more interesting than the book.
5. He works harder than his coworker.
Answers:
1. このリンゴはあのリンゴより甘いです。 (Kono ringo wa ano ringo yori amai desu.)
2. 私の車はあなたの車より高いです。 (Watashi no kuruma wa anata no kuruma yori takai desu.)
3. 彼女は私より上手に歌います。 (Kanojo wa watashi yori jouzu ni utaimasu.)
4. この映画は本より面白いです。 (Kono eiga wa hon yori omoshiroi desu.)
5. 彼は同僚より一生懸命働きます。 (Kare wa douryou yori isshoukenmei hatarakimasu.)
Advanced Comparisons
Once you are comfortable with the basic structure of using より (yori) for comparisons, you can explore more advanced forms of comparison.
1. Using ずっと (zutto)
To emphasize a significant difference, you can use ずっと (zutto) before the adjective. It translates to “much” or “a lot” in English.
Example:
この問題は前の問題よりずっと難しいです。 (Kono mondai wa mae no mondai yori zutto muzukashii desu.)
– This problem is much more difficult than the previous one.
2. Using ほど (hodo)
To express that something is not as [adjective] as something else, you can use ほど (hodo) in combination with より (yori).
Example:
彼は私ほど背が高くないです。 (Kare wa watashi hodo se ga takakunai desu.)
– He is not as tall as I am.
3. Using に比べて (ni kurabete)
Another way to make comparisons is by using the phrase に比べて (ni kurabete), which means “compared to.”
Example:
去年に比べて、今年の夏は涼しいです。 (Kyonen ni kurabete, kotoshi no natsu wa suzushii desu.)
– Compared to last year, this summer is cooler.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of より (yori) for comparisons in Japanese can significantly enhance your language skills, allowing you to express differences and preferences more clearly and accurately. Remember to pay attention to the word order, use the correct forms of adjectives and adverbs, and practice regularly to build your confidence.
By understanding and applying the principles discussed in this article, you’ll be well on your way to making natural and accurate comparisons in Japanese. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll find that forming comparisons in Japanese becomes second nature. Happy learning!
