Translation guide
English 'than' is used for comparisons. Japanese expresses comparison through sentence patterns, not a single word. The most common pattern uses より (yori) after the comparison standard, or のほうが (no hō ga) to mark the superior item. Word order differs from English.
AはBより大きい
A is bigger than B
BよりAのほうが好き
I like A more than B
Express that one item has more of a quality than another.
The standard pattern: A is more X than B. より marks the comparison standard (B).
東京は大阪より大きいです。
Tokyo is bigger than Osaka.
この本はあの本より面白い。
This book is more interesting than that one.
Emphasizes A as the superior choice. のほうが marks the preferred item.
大阪より東京のほうが大きいです。
Tokyo is bigger than Osaka.
Question form: Which is more X, A or B?
犬と猫とどちらが好きですか。
Which do you like better, dogs or cats?
Compare two actions or states using verbs or adjectives.
For comparing actions, nominalize verbs with の or こと. より marks the less preferred action.
歩くより走るほうが速い。
Running is faster than walking.
テレビを見るより本を読むほうが好きです。
I like reading books more than watching TV.
Express 'more than' a number or amount.
Means 'more than' or 'or more' when attached to a number. Often used with は.
1000円以上は高いです。
More than 1000 yen is expensive.
10人以上来ました。
More than 10 people came.
Express preference for one option over another.
Emphasizes B as the preferred choice, often with むしろ (rather).
映画よりむしろ本を読みたい。
I'd rather read a book than watch a movie.
Expresses that B is better than A, often when both are undesirable. まし means 'better (of two bad options)'.
遅刻するより欠席のほうがましだ。
Being absent is better than being late.
Express that one action happens immediately after another.
Formal/literary pattern meaning 'no sooner than'. Used in writing.
彼は家に着くや否や、雨が降り出した。
No sooner had he arrived home than it started raining.
Common pattern for 'just as soon as' or 'the moment'. More conversational than や否や.
家を出たとたんに、雨が降り出した。
The moment I left the house, it started raining.
There is no single Japanese word for 'than'. The comparison is built into the sentence structure using particles like より and ほう. Avoid trying to insert a word where 'than' would be in English.
彼は私より背が高い。
He is taller than me.
より marks the standard of comparison (the 'lesser' item). のほうが marks the superior item. You can use both in one sentence for emphasis, but often one is omitted.
コーヒーより紅茶のほうが好きです。
I like tea more than coffee.