Translation guide
Expresses preference or contrast between two options. In Japanese, this is typically handled with comparative structures like より, よりも, or むしろ, depending on whether you are stating a simple comparison, a strong preference, or a correction.
To state that one thing is more the case than another, or to choose one over another in a neutral comparison.
The basic comparative structure. Place the less preferred or lesser item before より, and the more preferred or greater item after. Word order is flexible but often BのほうがAより… or AよりBのほうが…
電車より車のほうが速い。
Cars are faster than trains.
I like fish rather than meat.
Slightly more emphatic or formal than より alone. Often used in writing or careful speech.
質よりも量を重視する。
They emphasize quantity rather than quality.
To express that one thing is preferable or more accurate, often contradicting an assumption or previous statement. Equivalent to 'rather' or 'instead' in English.
Adverb meaning 'rather', 'instead', or 'on the contrary'. Used to present a stronger or more accurate alternative.
彼は悲しむより、むしろ怒っていた。
Rather than being sad, he was angry.
むしろ私が謝るべきだ。
Rather, I should be the one to apologize.
Combines the comparative より with むしろ for a clear 'rather than A, B' structure.
車よりむしろ自転車で行こう。
Let's go by bicycle rather than by car.
Adverb meaning 'on the contrary' or 'rather', often used when the result is opposite to expectations. More formal/literary than むしろ.
To express that you prefer to do one action instead of another. Often used with verbs.
Use the dictionary form of verbs before より. The preferred action comes after. Often followed by ほうがいい or a decision expression.
タクシーに乗るより歩いたほうがいい。
It's better to walk rather than take a taxi.
あきらめるよりやり直そう。
Rather than give up, let's start over.
Expresses a strong preference: 'If it's a matter of V1, I'd rather V2'. Implies V1 is undesirable.
あんな奴に頼むくらいなら、自分でやる。
Rather than ask a guy like that, I'll do it myself.
より is a particle that marks the standard of comparison (like 'than'). むしろ is an adverb meaning 'rather' or 'instead'. Use より for neutral comparisons, and むしろ when you want to emphasize a preference or correction.
コーヒーより紅茶が好き。
I like tea more than coffee. (neutral)
コーヒーよりむしろ紅茶が好き。
I prefer tea rather than coffee. (emphatic)
English 'rather than' often corresponds to より or むしろ, but the word order is reversed. In Japanese, the less preferred item comes first. Avoid literal translations like 'むしろより'.
出かけるより家にいたい。
I'd rather stay home than go out.
文句を言うより解決策を探そう。
Rather than complain, let's find a solution.
彼は馬鹿というより怠け者だ。
He is more lazy than stupid.
薬を飲んだら、かえって具合が悪くなった。
Taking the medicine made me feel worse rather than better.