GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜のほうが
Compares two things and indicates that one has a stronger quality or preference.
Examples
電車よりバスのほうが安いです。
The bus is cheaper than the train.
Words used
私は夏より冬のほうが好きです。
I like winter better than summer.
Words used
歩くより自転車のほうが速いです。
A bicycle is faster than walking.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Add
のほうがafter the noun highlighted in a comparison. - Basic usage:
電車よりバスのほうが安いです。compares the bus as cheaper than the train.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Standard and highlighted side
- The train before
よりis the standard, and the bus beforeのほうがis judged cheaper. If the comparison standard is supplied by context, one can sayバスのほうが安い.
- The train before
- Attachment to a verb
- To compare actions, put
ほうがdirectly after a plain verb, as in歩くほうが好きです. Do not automatically add the nominalのafter a verb as well.
- To compare actions, put