Translation guide
A guide to expressing 'less than' in Japanese, covering comparisons of quantity, numerical limits, and related patterns.
The speaker wants to say that one amount, degree, or number is smaller than another.
The standard pattern for 'A is less than B' when talking about countable or measurable amounts. より marks the comparison standard.
私の収入は彼の収入より少ない。
My income is less than his income.
今年の雪は去年より少なかった。
This year's snow was less than last year's.
Uses ほど to mean 'not as much as'. More common in negative comparisons. 多くない is the negative of 多い (many/much).
この町の人口は隣の町ほど多くない。
The population of this town is not as large as that of the neighboring town (i.e., is less than).
A formal/literary pattern meaning 'A does not reach/attain B', implying A is less than B in quality, ability, etc.
彼の技術は師匠に及ばない。
His skill is less than his master's (does not match his master's).
The speaker wants to express a mathematical or numerical inequality, such as 'less than 10'.
Means 'less than N' (strictly, not including N). Used in formal, legal, and mathematical contexts. Attaches directly to a number.
18歳未満の方はご利用いただけません。
Those under 18 years of age (less than 18) cannot use this service.
The speaker wants to say that something is less than what was expected, or has decreased.
Means 'less than I thought'. A very common pattern using より with a verb in past tense.
思ったより人が少なかった。
There were fewer people than I thought.
The speaker wants to express 'less than' with units like hours, kilometers, kilograms.
Attaches to a number to mean 'less than N', often with a nuance of 'not even N'. Common with round numbers.
駅まで1キロ足らずだ。
It's less than a kilometer to the station.
1000円足らずで買える。
You can buy it for less than 1000 yen.
The speaker wants to express the opposite idea: 'not less than', meaning 'at least' or 'as much as'.
未満 (miman) means strictly less than (excluding the number). 以下 (ika) means less than or equal to (including the number). 足らず (tarazu) also means less than, but often implies 'not even reaching' and is used with round numbers. In casual speech, より少ない (yori sukunai) is common.
18歳未満は禁止。
Prohibited for those under 18 (less than 18).
18歳以下は半額。
Half price for those 18 and under (18 or less).
1000円足らずの品。
An item costing less than 1000 yen (not even 1000).
The number of participants was less than 10.
Means 'N or less' (including N). Often used where English might say 'less than or equal to'. Be careful: 以下 includes the number, while 未満 excludes it.
以下 includes the stated number, unlike English 'less than'. Use 未満 for strict 'less than'.
気温が0度以下になった。
The temperature fell to 0 degrees or below (less than or equal to 0).
A more colloquial way to say 'less than N'. Uses the comparison particle より. Suitable for everyday speech.
参加者は10人より少なかった。
The number of participants was less than 10.
Means 'less than before'. 前 means 'before/previous'.
前よりお金が少ない。
I have less money than before.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to decrease, to become less'. Often used instead of a direct 'less than' comparison.
人口が減っている。
The population is decreasing (becoming less).
Means 'within N' (time/distance). Implies 'less than or equal to N'. Often used for time limits.
10分以内に戻ります。
I'll be back in less than 10 minutes.
Adverb meaning 'at least'. Used to state a minimum amount.
少なくとも100人は来るだろう。
At least 100 people will come (no less than 100).
Means 'N or more'. Can be used for 'not less than N' when the minimum is N.
参加者は50人以上だった。
There were 50 or more participants (no less than 50).
While 少ない means 'few/little', you cannot say '少ない10人' to mean 'less than 10 people'. Use patterns like 10人未満 or 10人より少ない.
While 少ない means 'few/little', you cannot say '少ない10人' to mean 'less than 10 people'. Use patterns like 10人未満 or 10人より少ない.