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LEARN + JAPANESE / 91 of 186 JLPT N4

This One, Not That One より・ほうが〜より

より attaches after a noun and marks the thing being compared against, “more than X.” Paired with ほうが on the item that wins the comparison, X のほうがYより [adjective] makes the comparison explicit on both sides.

Hint · 힌트
より alone is enough to make a comparison, X はYより[adjective], with X automatically understood as the winning side. Adding のほうが in front makes the same comparison but places extra emphasis on X, useful when contrasting two options someone’s actively choosing between.

The pattern “[description] のは X の方だ” also uses の方 to identify which person or thing fits the description, “it’s X who/that…” It is especially useful when correcting a choice between two possibilities.

Hint · 힌트
The comparison puts one side ahead; のはXの方だ selects the side that matches the description. In casual speech, the final です may be dropped, but keep the のは phrase attached to the whole description.
Hint · 힌트
Both sides of the comparison can be whole verb phrases, not just nouns, 漢字を覚えるほうが、単語を覚えるより大変, “memorizing kanji is harder than memorizing vocabulary,” comparing two entire activities rather than two simple things.

For a more neutral “compared with,” に比[くら]べて puts the comparison itself in focus. It is common in explanations, reviews, and observations where neither side needs to be framed as the winner.

Hint · 힌트
より often gives a direct ranking, “A is faster than B.” に比べて sets up a point of reference, “compared with B, A…” In casual conversation they can overlap, but に比べて sounds especially natural when describing a change or difference rather than choosing a winner.

かなり means “quite / considerably” and gives a strong degree without naming a comparison. ずっと strengthens a comparison to mean “much / far”: X のほうがYよりずっと [adjective].

ほど～ない expresses “not as … as”: AはBほど高くない, “A isn’t as expensive as B.” It sets B as the degree or benchmark and says A does not reach that level.

以上に means “more than / beyond” a stated point of comparison: 予想以上に難しかった, “it was more difficult than expected.” With a noun, it can also mean “more than X” in amount or degree.

だけましだ offers consolation by saying a situation is at least better than a worse alternative: 遅れたけれど、連絡があっただけましだ, “we were delayed, but at least they let us know.”

In Real Life
かなり is useful for a stand-alone assessment, かなり難しいです, “it’s quite difficult.” Use ずっと when you have a comparison point, こちらの方がずっと便利です, “this one is much more convenient.”

Vocabulary

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