Translation guide
The English word 'more' is used to indicate a greater amount, degree, or number, and also to form comparatives. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent; the translation depends on the grammatical role and what is being compared. This guide covers the main uses: expressing a greater quantity, forming comparatives, saying 'more than', and common phrases like 'more and more'.
More water, please.
More than 10.
Expressing that there is a larger amount or higher degree of something, often used with nouns or adjectives.
The most common and versatile way to say 'more' when you want a greater amount or degree. It can be used with nouns, adjectives, and verbs. It is neutral and widely used in conversation.
Please give me more water.
Do you have a larger size?
Means 'furthermore' or 'even more'. It is slightly more formal than もっと and often used in written language or formal speech. It can also imply 'in addition'.
Literally 'a greater amount of'. It is a direct translation of 'more' when modifying a noun, but it sounds stiff and is mainly used in formal writing or translations.
Forming the comparative degree of adjectives or adverbs, like 'more interesting' or 'more quickly'.
Simply place もっと before the adjective or adverb. This is the most natural way to form comparatives in everyday Japanese.
Expressing that something exceeds a certain number or amount, like 'more than 10 people' or 'more than expected'.
Attach 以上 to a number or quantity to mean 'more than' or 'or more'. It includes the stated number. For example, 10以上 means '10 or more'.
Describing a gradual increase over time, like 'more and more people' or 'getting more and more difficult'.
Expressing that something has ceased or that there is no longer any of something.
The standard way to say 'not anymore' or 'no longer'. もう with a negative verb means the action or state has stopped.
I have no more money.
Requesting repetition or indicating an additional time.
The most common way to say 'once more' or 'again'. It is polite and can be used in most situations.
While 多く means 'many' or 'much', using it alone to mean 'more' often sounds unnatural. Instead, use もっと or comparative structures like より多い. For example, 'more people' is usually もっと多くの人 or より多くの人, not just 多くの人.
We need more people.
I need more time.
さらに詳しい情報が必要です。
We need more detailed information.
More people are interested in this issue.
This book is more interesting.
Please speak more slowly.
Used when comparing two things explicitly. The pattern is 'A より B のほうが [adjective]' meaning 'B is more [adjective] than A'. This is a fundamental comparative structure.
Osaka is more lively than Tokyo.
Means 'even more' or 'still more', often used in written language or formal speech to emphasize an increase in degree.
The problem became even more complicated.
More than 10 people came.
Used to compare quantities with a noun. It literally means 'more numerous than [noun]'. It is straightforward but slightly less common in casual speech.
There are more participants this year than last year.
When 'more than' implies an excess, you can use the verb stem + すぎる to mean 'too much'. This is not a direct translation but conveys the idea of exceeding a desirable limit.
I ate more than I should have. (I ate too much.)
An adverb meaning 'increasingly' or 'more and more'. It is used with adjectives and verbs to indicate a growing trend.
Your Japanese has gotten better and better.
More and more people are using the internet.
An onomatopoeic adverb meaning 'rapidly' or 'steadily', often used for things progressing quickly. It implies a continuous increase.
Prices are going up more and more.
Means 'even more' or 'all the more', emphasizing a noticeable increase. It is slightly formal.
His performance has become even better.
He doesn't live here anymore.
Literally 'more than this', used with a negative to mean 'no more' in the sense of 'cannot continue' or 'cannot endure'.
I can't wait any more.
Please say it once more.
Similar to もう一度, but slightly more casual. 回 is a counter for occurrences.
Let's try it once more.
Both mean 'more', but もっと is conversational and general, while さらに is more formal and often implies an additional layer or step. Use もっと for everyday requests and comparisons; use さらに in presentations, essays, or when emphasizing 'furthermore'.
This is more delicious than that.
More and more people are moving to cities.