Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 5: 15/21

()うより

...is more of a... than a..., Rather than saying that...

Structure Legend

Structure

Verb + いうより
[い]Adjective + いうより
[な]Adjective + () + いうより
Noun + () + いうより

Details

  • Register

    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

About というより

When combining the quotation use of the case marking particle と with the う - Verb ()う 'to say', and the case marking particle より 'comparing', というより presents a phrase that is being compared through further evaluation/reconsideration. This may be thought of as similar to 'rather than saying (A), (B)' in English.
というより may be used after any type of word. However, due to phrase that comes before it 'determining' something that will then be compared, nouns and な-Adjectives will require (despite being omitted in casual speech).
  • あの(ひと)仕事(しごと)しているというより仕事(しごと)させられている(かん)がする
    Rather than saying that he is working, it seems like he is being made to work.
  • 日本(にほん)天井(てんじょう)(ひく)というより、あなた身長(しんちょう)(たか)だけ(おも)
    Rather than Japanese ceilings being low, I think you are just tall.
  • (ぼく)(ひま)というより、なにすればいいか()らないだけ
    Rather than having nothing to do, I just don't know what I should be doing.
  • ここ公園(こうえん)というより(ちい)さい広場(ひろば)みたいな(もの)
    Rather than calling this a park, it is something more like a small field.
Caution
It should be remembered that より (in all of its uses) will highlight something that is 'less'. This means that the (B) part of というより sentences will always describe something that is 'more', 'closer', 'more accurate', etc.
  • マサミさん綺麗(きれい)というより、かわいい。
    Masami is more cute than beautiful.
  • その(はなし)つまらないというより興味(きょうみ)ないだけ
    It's not that the story is boring, it's just more that I have no interest in it.

Examples

  • 今日(きょう)(あたた)かいというより(あつ)

    It is hot rather than warm today.

  • あの(ひと)かわいいというより綺麗(きれい)

    That person is beautiful rather than cute.

  • 毎日(まいにち)というより一週間(いっしゅうかん)五回(ごかい)運動(うんどう)するだろう。

    Rather than saying every day, I would say I exercise five times a week.

  • (かれ)聡明(そうめい)というよりずる(がしこ)(ひと)です。

    Rather than saying that he is wise, he is cunning.

  • (かれ)技術者(ぎじゅつしゃ)というより芸術家(げいじゅつか)だ。

    He is more of an artist than an engineer.

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