G23 · Comparing: 〜より

Before you start

The sentences only use words you already know from hiragana, katakana and the beginner level.

This lesson assumes what you saw in the earlier ones. If something feels shaky, go back to it:

• G01build sentences with は and です
• G02ask and answer
• G03say what something is not
• G04say whose something is
• G05point at things and ask what they are
• G06say «also»
• G07say what you do
• G08say no and talk about the past
• G09say where you go
• G10say where you do something
• G11describe things and say they aren't
• G12describe with な-adjectives and before a noun
• G13say what there is and where
• G14ask and say where something is
• G15talk about what was
• G16ask politely
• G17say what is happening now
• G18say what you want to do
• G19say what you do first
• G20invite and suggest plans
• G21ask for and give permission
• G22say what is not allowed

What you learn

AはBより〜です

• よりthan

より marks what you compare with: ねこは いぬより ちいさいです (cats are smaller than dogs). The adjective does not change: there is no «-er» form.

• ねこは いぬより ちいさいです。neko wa inu yori chiisai desu.Cats are smaller than dogs.
• コーヒーは おちゃより たかいです。koohii wa ocha yori takai desu.Coffee is more expensive than tea.
• でんしゃは バスより やすいです。densha wa basu yori yasui desu.The train is cheaper than the bus.
• きょうは きのうより さむいです。kyou wa kinou yori samui desu.Today is colder than yesterday.
• えきは がっこうより ちかいです。eki wa gakkou yori chikai desu.The station is closer than the school.
• なつは ふゆより あついです。natsu wa fuyu yori atsui desu.Summer is hotter than winter.

Practice

A short text written only with the kana and grammar you already know. Read it and answer.