は〜より・・・です: is more than

は〜より・・・です means is more than. It is a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar pattern used to compare two nouns and say one has more of a quality.

This grammar point appears often in beginner conversations, classroom Japanese, and JLPT-style questions. If you want to compare two nouns and say one has more of a quality, は〜より・・・です is a useful pattern to learn because it helps you build natural basic sentences.

What does は〜より・・・です mean?

Use は〜より・・・です when you want to compare two nouns and say one has more of a quality.

Natural translations include:

• is more than
• is more … than
• is more … than

The exact English translation changes with context. Focus on the role of the grammar point in the sentence first, then choose the English phrase that sounds natural.

How to form は〜より・・・です

Noun A + は + Noun B + より + adjective + です

Examples of the pattern:

• 日本語は英語より難しいです
• 今日は昨日より暑いです
• 電車はバスより速いです

Pay attention to the word form before and after the pattern. Many beginner mistakes happen because the meaning is understood, but the grammar is attached to the wrong form.

When is は〜より・・・です used?

Use は〜より・・・です in situations like:

• simple comparisons
• opinions about two things
• describing differences

Tone and register:

• neutral and common
• Common in daily speech, textbook examples, and beginner JLPT questions

は〜より・・・です example sentences

• 電車はバスより速いです。 — Trains are faster than buses.
• 今日は昨日より暑いです。 — Today is hotter than yesterday.
• 日本語は英語より難しいです。 — Japanese is more difficult than English.
• この店はあの店より安いです。 — This shop is cheaper than that shop.
• 兄は私より背が高いです。 — My older brother is taller than me.

Read the Japanese sentence first, then check the English translation. Try to notice what the grammar point contributes: question, contrast, reason, time limit, suggestion, negation, comparison, or obligation.

Nuance of は〜より・・・です

The key nuance is the topic is compared against the noun after より.

This matters because beginner Japanese often uses small words and endings to show meaning that English expresses with word order or helper verbs. For は〜より・・・です, the sentence can change a lot depending on placement and context.

For example:

• In conversation, it helps the listener understand the topic is compared against the noun after より.
• Compared with の方が, it has a different job even when the English translation looks close.

は〜より・・・です vs の方が

Both は〜より・・・です and の方が can express related ideas, but they are different.

は〜より・・・です:

• sets A as topic and compares it to B
• straightforward “A is more than B” pattern

の方が:

• often emphasizes which side is more
• can answer comparison questions naturally

Quick contrast examples:

• 電車はバスより速いです。— Trains are faster than buses.
• バスより電車の方が速いです。— Compared with buses, trains are faster.

If you are unsure which one to use, ask what the sentence is trying to do: ask a question, connect ideas, show a reason, mark time, make an invitation, compare two things, or express obligation.

Common mistakes with は〜より・・・です

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Putting the more-quality noun after より by mistake
• Forgetting は after the first noun
• Using と instead of より for “than”

A good study habit is to write one short sentence and then change only the grammar point. This makes the difference between similar patterns easier to feel.

Is は〜より・・・です on the JLPT?

Yes. は〜より・・・です is commonly taught as JLPT N5 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

For test preparation, do not only memorize the English gloss. Practice identifying the words around the grammar point, because JLPT questions often test structure and context together.

Practice questions for は〜より・・・です

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Say trains are faster than buses.
• Say today is hotter than yesterday.
• Say this shop is cheaper than that shop.

Keep the sentences short at first. Once the form feels natural, add time words, places, reasons, or contrast to make the sentence more realistic.

Learn は〜より・・・です with Kanjiru

If you want to review は〜より・・・です together with kanji, vocabulary, and other JLPT N5 patterns, Kanjiru helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

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