In N5, we learned about the use of
より that is seen when making comparisons in
より～のほうが. However, in this lesson, we will take a look at how this
case marking particlecan be used by itself. When used alone, this particle expresses that (A) (a noun or verb) is being compared to (B) (a noun or verb that is regularly paired with an adjective). The word that
より is directly attached to will always be 'less than' the comparison being made. However, the overall expression is used to describe that (B) is 'more' (something) than (A).
In many textbooks,
より is taught as meaning 'more', but the word that
より is attached to will actually be the thing that is 'less' (something). The word/quote that has
が attached to it will be the thing that is 'more' (adjective). This is particularly confusing when
より is not directly attached to a word, something which is common in casual spoken language.
In this sentence, because the
が is attached to
これ,
これ is the thing that is 'more expensive'. As
より is not actually directly connected to any other word, it therefore means that
これ is expensive, compared to 'other things'. When you see
より like this, just pretend that it says 'other things' before it.