JLPT N2 Grammar
· Upper Intermediate
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· Upper Intermediate
Rather than
Category: Contrast & Opposition
The grammar pattern "V/A/N + というより" is used to express that a certain description is more accurate or appropriate than the one previously mentioned. It emphasizes a contrast between two descriptions, highlighting the superiority of one over the other. This pattern is often used to provide a more nuanced or detailed explanation of a situation, and it can be used in a variety of contexts, including comparisons, descriptions, and explanations.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Plain verb form | V + というより | 歩くのが遅いというより、周りの景色を楽しんでいると言ってほしい。 |
| Plain adjective form | A + というより | この料理は辛いというより、痛いと言ったほうがいいかもしれない。 |
| Plain noun form | N + というより | あの二人は、友達というより、まるで兄弟のようだ。 |
あの二人は、友達というより、まるで兄弟のようだ。
ano futari wa, tomodachi to iu yori, marude kyōdai no yō da.
Those two are more like brothers than friends.
あの二人は (those two people) / 友達というより (more like friends) / まるで (very) / 兄弟のようだ (like brothers)
この料理は辛いというより、痛いと言ったほうがいいかもしれない。
kono ryōri wa, karai to iu yori, itai to itta hō ga ii ka mo shirenai.
This food is more painful than spicy.
この料理は (this food) / 辛いというより (more like spicy) / 痛いと言ったほうがいいかもしれない (it might be better to say painful)
歩くのが遅いというより、周りの景色を楽しんでいると言ってほしい。
aruku no ga osoi to iu yori, mawari no kei shoku o tanoshimondeteku to itte hoshii.
It would be better to say that walking slowly is more enjoyable than admiring the scenery.
歩くのが遅いというより (more like walking slowly) / 周りの景色を楽しんでいると言ってほしい (it would be better to say admiring the scenery)
This pattern is used to express a contrast between two descriptions, highlighting the superiority of one over the other. It is often used in formal or written language, and it can be used in a variety of contexts, including comparisons, descriptions, and explanations. It is not typically used in casual or spoken language.
This pattern is used to highlight the superiority of one description over another, so it should only be used when comparing two descriptions of the same thing.
～というよりは is a more emphatic version of ～というより, and it should be used when the comparison is more extreme.
～に比べて is used for simple comparison, while ～というより is used for a more nuanced comparison that highlights the superiority of one description over another.
Pay attention to the context and the comparison being made. Make sure the two descriptions are related and that the comparison is clear. Use the correct form of the verb or adjective, and pay attention to the nuance of the comparison.
あの二人は、友達______、まるで兄弟のようだ。
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