~というより
〜to iu yori
Formation
Verb-casual + というより, い-Adjective + というより, な-Adjective + だというより, Noun + だというより
Express a comparison with preference; 'rather than', 'more like', 'instead of'.
When to use
というより: rather than A, it is more B (寒いというより痛い).
Explanation
The ~というより grammar point is used to express a comparison where one description is more accurate than another. Translated as 'rather than', 'more like', or 'instead of'.
Example sentences
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Rather than saying this room is small, it's more like it's cozy.
Kono heya wa semai to iu yori, igokochi ga ii.
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Instead of saying he's scary, he's more like a reliable person.
Kare wa kowai to iu yori, tayori gai ga aru.
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Rather than calling the movie boring, I'd say it was a bit long.
Eiga wa tsumaranai to iu yori, chotto nagakatta.
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Rather than a friend, she's more like family.
Kanojo wa tomodachi da to iu yori, kazoku no you na sonzai da.
Comparison (More Than / Which / The Most)
- A。 では、~B。A. Dewa, ~BN5Indicates a contrast or comparison between A and B; 'As…
- A は B より~A wa B yori~N5Express a comparison between A and B; 'A is more/less than…
- A より B のほうが~A yori B no hou ga ~N5Used to compare two items; 'B is more ~ than A'.
- A は B ほど~ありませんA wa B hodo ~ arimasenN4Express that A is not as much as B; 'not as... as'…
- A が いちばん~A ga ichiban~N5Express the superlative degree; 'the most', 'the best'…
- Aと Bと どちら~A to B to dochira~N5Used to ask which of two alternatives is preferred or to…
- AとBと どっち〜A to B to docchi〜N5Asking which one; 'which', 'A or B'.
- どちら~dochira~N5Used to ask about two choices or options.
- どの Noundono NounN5Expresses 'which'; used to ask about specific items within…
- もっと〜motto〜N5Expresses 'more' or 'even more' when describing a…
- ~に比べて〜ni kurabeteN3Comparing to; in comparison with; as opposed to.
- Noun とは比べものにならない~to wa kurabemono ni naranaiN1Indicates something is not comparable; 'beyond comparison'.
- Verbる くらいなら〜ru kurai naraN1Expresses preference to avoid something: 'rather than...'…
Corpus examples (23)
彼は社会を忌避して自分の中に閉じこもるというよりは、社会に対して常に攻撃的な態度をとり続けた。
He continues always being aggressive towards society, rather than repelling society and confining himself.
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I lay down not so much to sleep as to think.
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Instead of being here to work, you get the sense that he's simply a permanent fixture here.
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Smoking does you more harm than good.
テレビはためになるというよりもむしろ害になると主張する人もいる。
Some people insist that television does more harm than good.
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For me winter is rather something to be put up with than to be enjoyed.
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He is more clever than wise.
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He is more clever than wise.
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I see Tom as cunning rather than clever.
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Your views aren't unfashionable so much as unconscionable.
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I was more angry than sad.
彼女は我々の手伝いに来たというより、邪魔しに来たようなものだ。
She didn't come to help, but to hinder us.
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He didn't come to help, but to hinder us.
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She is handsome rather than beautiful.
溺れかかった少年は、生きているというよりは死んでいるようでした。
The drowning boy was more dead than alive.
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He is kind rather than gentle.
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Nancy is kind rather than gentle.
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Tom is more wise than clever.
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He is more lucky than clever.
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She is more pretty than beautiful.
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She is more thin than slender.
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Helen is more pretty than beautiful.
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That girl is more cute than beautiful.