Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 5: 16/22

と言(い)うより...is more of a... than a..., Rather than saying that...

Structure

Verb + 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

Details

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About というより

When combining the quotation use of the case marking particle と with the う - Verb 言(い)う 'to say', and the case marking particle より 'comparing', というより presents a phrase that is being compared through further evaluation/reconsideration. This may be thought of as similar to 'rather than saying (A), (B)' in English.

というより may be used after any type of word. However, due to phrase that comes before it 'determining' something that will then be compared, nouns and な-Adjectives will require だ (despite being omitted in casual speech). だ may also be omitted if the sentence finishes with a だ that is describing the same thing in a different light.

Caution

It should be remembered that より (in all of its uses) will highlight something that is 'less'. This means that the (B) part of というより sentences will always describe something that is 'more', 'closer', 'more accurate', etc.

  • マサミさんは綺麗(きれい)というより、かわいい。
    Masami is more cute than beautiful.
  • その話(はなし)がつまらないというより、興味(きょうみ)がないだけ。
    It's not that the story is boring, it's just more that I have no interest in it.

Examples

--:--

    今日(きょう)は暖(あたた)かいと言(い)うより暑(あつ)い。

    It is hot rather than warm today.

    あの人(ひと)はかわいいと言(い)うより綺麗(きれい)。

    That person is beautiful rather than cute.

    彼(かれ)は聡明(そうめい)と言(い)うよりずる賢(がしこ)い人(ひと)です。

    Rather than saying that he is wise, he is cunning.

    彼(かれ)は技術者(ぎじゅつしゃ)と言(い)うより芸術家(げいじゅつか)だ。

    He is more of an artist than an engineer.

    これは悲(かな)しさと言(い)うより後悔(こうかい)に近(ちか)い。

    Rather than saying that this is sorrow, it is closer to regret.

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