より | Grammar

Structure

Verb[plain] + より

Adj-i + より

Adj-na + な + より

Noun + より

The particle より is used to compare two things, indicating that one thing is more or less than the other. It functions like "compared to" in English.

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Movies are more interesting than books (Compared to books, movies are interersting).

より always follows the thing you are comparing against.

The other noun is often followed by の + ほう + が.

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Movies are more interesting than books (Compared to books, towards movies is more interersting).

ほう (ほう方) means direction. Therefore, “A より B のほうが adjective” literally means “Compared to A, in the direction of B, adjective applies [more].”

It's also possible to compare verbs:

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I prefer walking to running.

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This car is faster than that car.

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Japanese is harder than English.

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Today is warmer than yesterday.

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Walking is healthier than running.

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That restaurant is cheaper than this one.

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I prefer reading books to watching movies.

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This room is quieter than the one next door.

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Osaka has better food than Tokyo.

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I want to try harder than I am now.

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She is kinder than anyone else.

べき。

Children should study rather than play.

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I prefer the mountains to the sea.

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This job is easier than my previous one.

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Weekends are more relaxing than weekdays.

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He can run faster than anyone.