Translation guide
How to express that someone or something is superior to another in quality, skill, or other attributes.
To say that A is better than B in a general sense.
The most basic and common way to say 'A is better than B'. より marks the comparison target.
This book is better than that book.
Emphasizes A as the better choice. ほう means 'side' or 'direction'.
The train is better than the bus.
Means 'is superior' or 'excels'. More formal and often used in written language.
His ability is superior to others'.
Means 'to surpass' or 'to be better than'. Often used in fixed expressions or formal contexts.
Health is better than wealth.
To say that someone is more skilled or proficient at something.
Use 上手 (じょうず) for 'good at'. The thing someone is good at is marked with が.
He is better at cooking than me.
得意 (とくい) also means 'good at' and often implies confidence or a strong point.
She is better at math than me.
Means 'excels at' or 'is skilled in'. Often used in written descriptions.
He excels at languages.
To say that something is of higher quality or performs better.
性能 (せいのう) means 'performance' or 'capability'. Use for machines, devices, etc.
This computer performs better than the previous one.
質 (しつ) means 'quality'. Use for materials, products, etc.
The clothes at this store are better quality than at that store.
Means 'to exceed' or 'to surpass' in numbers or performance. Often used in business or technical contexts.
To say that something is more suitable, preferable, or a better fit.
向いている means 'is suitable for'. Use when comparing suitability for a task or role.
He is better suited for this job than me.
Can also express preference. Context makes it clear.
I prefer winter to summer. (Winter is better than summer.)
To say that something is morally better or more desirable.
まし means 'better' in the sense of 'less bad' or 'preferable among bad options'. Often used when both options are not ideal.
Being absent is better than being late (though both are bad).
望ましい means 'desirable' or 'preferable'. More formal and objective.
An early resolution is better/desirable.
いい is the most common and versatile. 優れている is more formal and often used for objective superiority. 勝る is literary and often appears in proverbs or fixed phrases.
This car is better than that car. (casual)
This car is superior in performance to that car. (formal)
English 'better than' can be directly translated as よりいい, but in many contexts Japanese uses specific adjectives or verbs. For example, 'better at' uses 上手/得意, 'better quality' uses 質がいい, etc. Using いい for everything can sound unnatural.
Sales of the new product exceeded expectations.