Comparisons with "yori" and "no hou ga"

Japanese has no special comparative endings like "-er" in English. Instead, it uses particles to compare two things. The particle より (yori) means "than," and the phrase のほうが (no hou ga) means "this side is more...". Together or separately, they establish a comparison of inequality between two subjects.

The standard structure comparing A and B is: A は B より [Adjective] です (A is more [adjective] than B). If you want to emphasize the superior item, you can say: B より A のほうが [Adjective] です (A's side is more [adjective] than B). Japanese adjectives do not change form when compared; the adjective remains in its base dictionary form (e.g., hayai - fast).

A common mistake for learners is using the particles incorrectly, such as mixing up which item is superior. Remember that the item immediately followed by のほうが is always the one that possesses more of the adjective's quality, while the item followed by より is the baseline of comparison. Do not use yori and no hou ga with verbs without nominalizing them first.