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How to Compare in Japanese: より, ほうが and いちばん (GENKI Lesson 10)

The Training Hall (Beginner) Updated Published 9 min read

Japanese has no “-er” or “-est” endings. Instead, you use a few small words to compare things: より (than), のほうが (the one that is more) and いちばん (the most). In this GENKI Lesson 10 guide, you will learn to compare two things, three or more things, and to talk about change with なる.

  • Comparing two things: AのほうがBより…
  • Asking “which one?”: AとBとどちらが…
  • The most: …の中で Aがいちばん…
  • Talking about change: adjective + なる
The hiragana reading is shown under each sentence. Turn readings off to test yourself.
Contents
  1. Comparing two things
    1. Asking which one: どちら
    2. The same: 同じぐらい
  2. Three or more: いちばん
  3. Talking about change: adjective + なる
  4. Final check: 10 questions
  5. Free worksheet
  6. What’s next
  7. Practice speaking with a real teacher

Comparing two things

Comparing two things with のほうが and より
AのほうがBよりadjectiveです。

A のほうが marks the winner (“A is more …”). B より means “than B.” You can also swap the order: B より A のほうが ….

くるまの ほうが じてんしゃより はやいです。A car is faster than a bicycle.
にほんごの ほうが えいごより むずかしいです。Japanese is more difficult than English.
ラーメンより うどんの ほうが すきです。I like udon more than ramen.

Asking which one: どちら

AとBとどちらがadjectiveですか。
いぬと ねこと どちらが すきですか。Which do you like better, dogs or cats?
ねこの ほうが すきです。I like cats better.
とうきょうと おおさかと どっちが おおきい？Which is bigger, Tokyo or Osaka? (casual)
どちら vs どっち

どちら is polite. どっち is casual. Both mean “which one (of two).”

The same: 同じぐらい

テニスと サッカーは おなじぐらい すきです。I like tennis and soccer about the same.

Three or more: いちばん

Saying the most with の中で and いちばん
groupの中でAがいちばんadjectiveです。

の中で sets the group (“among …”). いちばん means “number one,” so “the most.”

にほんの まちの なかで とうきょうが いちばん おおきいです。Among Japanese cities, Tokyo is the biggest.
かぞくの なかで だれが いちばん せが たかいですか。Who is the tallest in your family?
くだもの の なかで なにが いちばん すきですか。What fruit do you like the most?
いちごが いちばん すきです。I like strawberries the most.
Question words

Choose the question word that fits the answer: だれ for people, 何 for things, どこ for places, いつ for times. All of them take が.

Talking about change: adjective + なる

なる means “to become.” GENKI Lesson 10 uses it with adjectives and nouns.

TypeRuleExample
い-adjectiveい → くなる寒くなりましたさむく なりました (It got cold.)
な-adjective+ になる上手になりましたじょうずに なりました (I got better at it.)
noun+ になる先生になりたいですせんせいに なりたいです (I want to become a teacher.)

You will learn more GENKI Lesson 10 expressions, like 〜つもりです and どこかに, in Everyday Expressions.

Final check: 10 questions

These questions mix everything on this page. Get 8 or more right, and you are ready for GENKI Lesson 11.

Free worksheet

Want to practice writing? Download the printable worksheet for GENKI Lesson 10.

Download the Lesson 10 worksheet (PDF)

What’s next

Practice speaking with a real teacher

Comparisons are great for conversation. Ask a teacher: 日本の季節の中で、いつがいちばん好きですか。 On italki, you can find teachers who use GENKI and book a short trial lesson.

Find a Japanese teacher on italki

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