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Yori

meaning: than, rather ~ than ~, more ~ than ~

Formation

A) Topic Noun (yori) Predicate

Nihongo wa supeingo yori (mo) omoshiroi (Japanese is more interesting than spanish)

B) Subject (sentence1 + hoo ga) Sentence2 (Yori) Predicate

Kuruma de iku hoo ga base de iku yori (mo) yasui (Going by car is cheaper than by bus)

C) Topic Predicate1 (yori) Predicate 2

Watashi wa ryokoo-suru yori (mo) uchi ni itai ( I would rather stay at home than go on trip)

D)

Kore yori (hoka (ni)) hoohoo wa nai (There is no other way than this)

kore igai ............

Base de iku yori (hoka (ni)) shikata(way to do?) ga nai (There is no other way than to go by bus)

Examples

Kanji wa hiragana yori muzukashii

Yamada san wa watashi yori hayaku hashireru

Boku wa suteeki yori sakana no hoo ga suki da (I prefer fish to steak)

Toshokan de benkyoosuru hoo ga uchi de benkyoo suru yori yoku dekiru (Studying at a library is more productive than studying at home)

Sore wa aka to iu yori chairo ni chikakatta (That was closer to brown than to red)

Nihongo o benkyooshitakattara, Amerika no gakkoo de benkyoosuru yori Nihon e ikinasai

Interesting sentence analysis

CONTEXT: 昨日の夜は、午前2時にねた (kino no yori, gozen ni ji ni neta)

思ったよりも、宿題をするのに時間がかかったからだ。

Omotta yori mo, shukudai o suru no ni jikan ga kakatta kara da.

1. 思ったよりも (Omotta yori mo)

  • 思った (omotta): This is the past tense of the verb 思う (omou), which means "to think." The verb is in its plain past form, meaning "thought."
  • よりも (yori mo): This is a comparative phrase that means "more than" or "compared to." When attached to 思った, it forms "more than I thought" or "compared to what I thought."

Grammatical role: This phrase serves as a comparative clause that sets up the expectation against which the actual situation is measured.

2. 宿題をするのに (Shukudai o suru no ni)

  • 宿題 (shukudai): This noun means "homework."
  • を (o): This is the direct object marker, indicating that "homework" is the object of the action that follows.
  • する (suru): This verb means "to do." It is in its dictionary form here.
  • のに (no ni): This phrase is used to express the purpose or reason, often translated as "for" or "in order to." When attached to a verb phrase, it indicates the action or activity's purpose or context.

Grammatical role: This phrase indicates the purpose or context of the time taken, which is "doing homework."

3. 時間がかかった (Jikan ga kakatta)

  • 時間 (jikan): This noun means "time."
  • が (ga): This is the subject marker, indicating that "time" is the subject of the verb.
  • かかった (kakatta): This is the past tense of the verb かかる (kakaru), which means "to take (time/money)." The past form indicates that the action is completed, so "it took (time)."

Grammatical role: This clause states the actual situation, "it took time," describing the action that occurred.

4. からだ (Kara da)

  • から (kara): This conjunction means "because" or "since." It is used to indicate the reason or cause of something.
  • だ (da): This is the plain form of the copula, often used at the end of sentences to make a statement. In this case, it emphasizes the reason given.

Grammatical role: This phrase concludes the sentence by providing the reason or cause for the previous statement.

Full Sentence Analysis

  • 思ったよりも: Sets up the comparison (more than I thought).
  • 宿題をするのに: Indicates the context (for doing homework).
  • 時間がかかった: States the outcome (it took time).
  • からだ: Provides the reason (because).

Translation and Interpretation

The sentence translates to:

"Because it took more time to do the homework than I thought."

Grammatically, it is a complex sentence that compares an expectation to reality, provides a specific context for the action, and explains the cause for the unexpected outcome.

Another great usage

to iu yori - rather than

Donatsu to iu yori keeki mitai(no you) desu ne? - It looks more as a cake than a donut

In relation to this, I would to put here something less related to yori.

Pattern X ni chikai/ X ni yowai (CHAT GPT

1. "Ni" (に) with Adjectives to Indicate a Relation or Proximity:

In Japanese, "ni" (に) is often used with certain adjectives to indicate a relation, proximity, or appropriateness. This usage is specific to particular adjectives that describe a relationship or comparison between two things. Here's how it works:

"Chikai" (近い) - Close to:

  • "X ni chikai" (Xに近い): Means "close to X" or "near X."
  • "Chikai" (近い): An i-adjective meaning "close" or "near."
  • "Ni" (に): Indicates the target or point of reference.
  • Example: "Eki ni chikai" (駅に近い): "Close to the station."
  • Here, "ni" indicates the specific location or reference point (the station) that the adjective "chikai" is describing.

"Muzukashii" (難しい) - Difficult for:

  • "X ni muzukashii" (Xに難しい): While this construction is less common, it can be used in certain contexts, typically meaning "difficult for X."
  • Example: "Watashi ni wa muzukashii" (私には難しい): "It's difficult for me."
  • "Muzukashii" (難しい): An i-adjective meaning "difficult."
  • "Ni wa" (には): Indicates the person or entity for whom something is difficult.

2. "Ni" with Adjectives to Express Appropriateness or Suitability:

  • "X ni yoi" (Xに良い): Meaning "good for X" or "suitable for X."
  • Example: "Kono shigoto ni yoi" (この仕事に良い): "Good for this job."

3. Common Patterns Using "Ni" with Adjectives:

  • "X ni taisuru" (Xに対する): "In relation to X" or "regarding X."
  • "X ni ataru" (Xに当たる): "Corresponds to X" or "equivalent to X."
  • "X ni yowai" (Xに弱い): "Weak against X" or "vulnerable to X."

Summary:

  • "Ni" (に) is used with certain adjectives to indicate a relation, proximity, suitability, or comparison with a specific target (X).
  • "X ni chikai" (Xに近い): "Close to X."
  • "X ni muzukashii" (Xに難しい): "Difficult for X" (though this is less common in everyday use).