～は～よりTopic-first comparison
This pattern makes A the topic and compares it with B. The final adjective or verb tells you how A differs from B.
How the comparison works
Place the item you want to discuss before は, and place the baseline before より. The final adjective or verb then gives the direction of the comparison: larger, cheaper, earlier, easier, more frequent, and so on. The particle は is written は here but pronounced わ.
A straightforward comparison
Let the final adjective or verb supply the direction
There is no separate word meaning “more” in this pattern. A positive adjective usually places A farther in the direction named by that adjective. A negative adjective or verb denies that A is farther in that direction, so translate it carefully rather than automatically using “less.”
Different kinds of scale
The same frame works with personal evaluations, measurable qualities, and verbs that express a difference.
このホテルは駅前のホテルより静かです。
This hotel is quieter than the hotel by the station.
Analyzeこのかばんはあのかばんより重くありません。
This bag is not heavier than that bag.
AnalyzeThe negative form denies that this bag is heavier; by itself, it does not strictly rule out equal weight.
兄は私より早く起きます。
My older brother gets up earlier than I do.
AnalyzeA different way to organize the comparison
The target pattern starts with the item already being discussed. The alternate frame A + より + B + のほうが explicitly presents B as the side that has the greater degree. The factual comparison can be the same, but the sentence is organized differently.
大阪より東京のほうが人が多いです。
Tokyo has more people than Osaka.
AnalyzeThis is the neighboring highlighted-side pattern, not the target topic-first pattern.
More examples
春は冬より日が長いです。
The days are longer in spring than in winter.
Analyze新幹線は普通列車より速いです。
The bullet train is faster than a local train.
Analyzeこの本は前の本より分かりやすいです。
This book is easier to understand than the previous one.
Analyzeオンラインの会議は対面の会議より短かったです。
The online meeting was shorter than the in-person meeting.
Analyze今日は昨日より暑くないです。
Today is not hotter than yesterday.
Analyze