Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 9: 24/37

(なに)よりBe glad, Be relieved, Most, Best, Above all else, More than anything

Structure

(なに)より + ()+ Phrase
(なに)より + + Noun

Details

  • Register

    Standard

About 何より

(なに)より, or (なに)よりも when emphasized, is a common phrase in Japanese that is used when one wants to express that they are 'glad', 'relieved', or that '(A) is more important than anything'. As this structure is simply a combination of the substitute noun (なに) 'what', or 'whatever', and the particle より 'than', the closest literal translation is 'more than anything, (A)'. (なに)より is primarily used to express positive feelings when the actual situation may have been worse, but (A) is the most important.

(なに)より, and (なに)よりも most often behave adverbially, meaning that they can be used at the beginning of a sentence, or right before the word they are describing. However, they occasionally come directly before a noun when followed by の.

As in most cases, も just strengthens the phrase slightly, with no other significant change in nuance.

Examples

--:--

    「ありがとうございます。」
    「お(やく)()てれば、(なに)よりの(しあわ)せです。」

    'Thank you very much.'
    'More than anything it is a blessing to be able to help.' (above all else・more than anything)

    友達(ともだち):「(たが)いに(たす)()うことが(なに)より大事(だいじ)なのよ。」

    Friend: 'Helping one another is the most important thing.' (above all else・more than anything)

    (ひさ)しぶりに挨拶(あいさつ)する(とき):「元気(げんき)そうで(なに)よりです。」

    When greeting someone we haven't seen for a long time: 'I am really glad that you seem to be doing well.' (above all else・more than anything)

    記事(きじ):「両親(りょうしん)にとって自分(じぶん)子供(こども)健康(けんこう)(なに)より大切(たいせつ)です。」

    Article: 'For parents, there is nothing more important than the health of their children.' (above all else・more than anything)

    らくさん:「あなたにもらった(ほん)、わたしの息子(むすこ)がとても()()っています。」
    おのでらさん:「それは(なに)よりです。」

    Raku: 'My child loved the book he received from you.'
    Onodera: 'I am really glad.'

  • Get more example sentences!

    Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

  • Online

      There are no Online resources listed for 「何より」.

      You can . Resources are constantly updated, come back later to see new additions!


    • Offline

        There are no Offline resources listed for 「何より」.

        You can . Resources are constantly updated, come back later to see new additions!

      • Track Resources!

        Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.

      何より – Grammar Discussion

        There's currently no discussion for 何より
        Ask questions and learn together with other Bunpro users!