JLPT N3 Grammar
· Intermediate
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· Intermediate
rather than
Category: Contrast and Comparison
The grammar pattern "V/A/N + というより" is used to express a contrast or comparison between two things. It indicates that the speaker thinks a different description or word is more appropriate than the first one mentioned. This pattern is often used to soften the comparison and avoid direct comparison, which can be seen as impolite or too strong. For example, instead of saying "この料理は辛い" (This food is spicy), you can say "この料理は辛いというより、痛いと感じるくらいだ" (This food is not spicy, but rather painful to eat).
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb or adjective form | V/A/N + というより | 友達というより、兄弟みたいに仲が良いね (Friends-wise, they're more like siblings) |
| Noun form | N + というより | 散歩というより、ハイキングと言ったほうがいいかもしれない (Walking-wise, it's more like hiking) |
| Adjective form | Adj + というより | 辛いというより、痛いと感じるくらいだ (Not spicy, but rather painful to eat) |
あの二人は、友達というより、兄弟みたいに仲が良いね。
ano futari wa, tomodachi to iu yori, kyōdai mitai ni nakagai yoi ne.
Those two are more like siblings than friends.
友達 (friends) + というより (rather than) + 兄弟みたいに (like siblings)
この料理は辛いというより、痛いと感じるくらいだ。
kono ryōri wa, karai to iu yori, itai to kanjiru kurai da.
This food is not spicy, but rather painful to eat.
辛い (spicy) + というより (rather than) + 痛いと感じるくらい (painful to eat)
散歩というより、ハイキングと言ったほうがいいかもしれない。
sanpo to iu yori, haikingu to iu hō ga ii ka mo shirenai.
Walking-wise, it's more like hiking.
散歩 (walking) + というより (rather than) + ハイキング (hiking)
This pattern is used to express a contrast or comparison between two things. It's often used to soften the comparison and avoid direct comparison, which can be seen as impolite or too strong. The pattern can be used with verbs, adjectives, and nouns. The speaker's intention is to express a more nuanced or subtle comparison.
Using 'yori' alone can result in a sentence that implies a direct comparison of quantities, rather than a description. For example, "この料理は辛いyori" (This food is yori spicy) implies a comparison of quantities, rather than a description of the food's spiciness.
The correct word order is V/A/N + というより. For example, "友達yori兄弟みたいに仲が良いね" (Friends yori siblings-like relationship is good) is incorrect, whereas "友達というより、兄弟みたいに仲が良いね" (Friends-wise, they're more like siblings) is correct.
When comparing physical size, use ni kurabete instead of というより. For example, "この本は大きいというより、重い" (This book is not big, but rather heavy) is incorrect, whereas "この本は大きさで見ると、重い" (This book is heavy compared to its size) is correct.
Pay attention to the word order and the use of 'yori' with a verb or adjective. Be careful not to use this pattern with direct comparisons of physical size, as it may result in an incorrect sentence.
あの二人は、友達 ______ 兄弟みたいに仲が良いね。
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