Quick Reference

Meaning & Definition

より is the Japanese particle that builds comparisons — the equivalent of English “than,” but with a twist: it attaches to the lower-ranked item, not the higher one. Where English says “A is bigger than B,” Japanese says A wa B yori ookii — “A, compared to B, is bigger.” This reversed word order is the single most important thing to internalize about より.

より follows the noun or phrase being used as the baseline of comparison. The structure is [Topic] wa [Baseline] yori [Adjective/Verb]. For example, kono mise wa ano mise yori yasui means “This shop is cheaper than that shop” — より marks ano mise as the reference point being surpassed. より can also express a direction of preference or change, similar to “rather than” or “more so than”: hanasu yori kiku hō ga tokui desu — “I’m better at listening than speaking.” In formal and literary contexts, より can replace the location particle から to mean “from” (as in Tokyo yori, “from Tokyo”), a usage still found in official letters and announcements.

How to Use It

The most common mistake is flipping the comparison: English speakers instinctively want to attach より to the winner, but it always marks the loser in the comparison. Remember: B yori A no hō ga ii — “A is better than B” — より sits right after the item that loses. Also note that より alone does not require no hō ga, but adding it makes the preference more emphatic and natural in speech. In very formal writing you may see より used as “from” rather than “than,” so context is key.

Example Sentences

Cultural Context

Japanese comparison sentences follow a strict pattern that reflects the language’s preference for establishing context before delivering new information. The baseline (yori phrase) always comes before the adjective or evaluative statement, so listeners know the frame of reference first. This contrasts sharply with English, where “bigger than” puts the comparison at the end. Japanese learners who internalize this left-to-right logic — context first, conclusion last — find that より clicks into place naturally alongside particles like は and が.

In formal written Japanese, より carries an additional, older meaning: “from” or “since,” as in Osaka yori mairimashita (“I have come from Osaka”). This usage survives in official correspondence, ceremony announcements, and business letters, giving the particle a slightly elevated, ceremonial feel. When you see より in a formal email or invitation, check whether it marks a comparison or a point of origin — the surrounding grammar will make it clear, and recognizing both meanings marks a significant step toward reading authentic Japanese texts.

📚 Learn More