| When comparing two objects or factors the Japanese often use
the particle より (yori), meaning "from", to desribe that
viewed from object "A", object "B" is heavier,
smaller, more interesting, et cetera. The structure is then as follows:
| |
"A"より"B"が面白い。 ("A"
yori "B" ga omoshiroi.)
"B"
is more interesting than "A". |
| |
If you do not wish to mention "A" you can use a structure
with ほう (hou / 方), meaning "side", to describe that the
side "which is" "B" is heavier, smaller, et
cetera.
| |
"B"のほうが高い。("B" no hou
ga takai.)
"B" is more expensive. |
| |
These two constructions can be combined into one sentence:
| |
"A"より"B"のほうがかわいい。("A"
yori "B" no hou
ga kawaii.)
"B" is cuter than "A". |
| |
Another construction uses もっと (motto), this construction can be
used by itself and in combination with the より (yori) construction:
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"A"より"B"がもっと安い。("A"
yori "B" ga motto
yasui.)
"B" is cheaper than "A". |
| |
In fact, all three constructions can be combined into one sentence:
| |
"A"より"B"の方がもっときれいだ。("A"
yori "B" no hou
ga motto kirei da.)
"B" is
more beautiful than "A". |
| |
Pay particular attention to the use and placement of the particles
の (no) and が (ga). ほう (hou) should always be preceded by the particle
の (no), and もっと (motto) should always precede the adjective.
Superlatives
Superlatives are constructed by placing 一番 (ichiban), meaning "number
one", or 最も (mottomo), meaning "most", directly before
the adjective.
| |
"A"が一番大切だ。("A" ga
ichiban taisetsu da.)
"A" is the most important.
"A"が最もいい。("A" ga mottomo
ii.)
"A" is the best. |
| |
One can often encounter kanji combinations with 最 and the kanji
for a verbal adjective. Both kanji then receive the on'yomi (or
Chinese reading, see the kanji
introduction page).
| |
"A"が最高だ。("A" ga saikou
da.)
"A" is the highest. / "A" is the greatest.
"A"が最低です。("A" ga saitei
desu.)
"A" is the lowest. / "A" is the worst. |
| |
Identical
The Japanese word for "same" is 同じ (onaji), which when
using in comparisons is always preceded by the particle と (to).
| |
昔持った椅子と同じだ。(Mukashi motta isu to
onaji da.)
It's the same chair as I used to have. |
| |
When describing that "it's the same as mine", the Japanese
tend to say と一緒 (to issho), meaning "together with", rather
than と同じ, meaning "the same as".
| |
あの財布は彼と一緒だ。(Ano saifu wa kare to
issho da.)
That's the same wallet as he has.
あの財布は彼のと同じだ。(Ano saifu wa kare no
to onaji da.)
That's the same wallet as he has. |
| |
Note the use of の (no) to make the personal pronoun 彼 (kare) a
possessive pronoun.
Similarity
To indicate that two objects or factors are about the same, 位 (gurai)
is added after 同じ (onaji).
| |
昔持った椅子と同じぐらいだ。(Mukashi motta isu to onaji
gurai da.)
It's the about the same chair as I used to have. |
| |
Related pages:
The particle
くらい (kurai)
The particle より
(yori) |
