Practice JLPTHow to tell them apart
に比べて frames a comparison by setting one side as the reference and then describing how the other differs, often with a full clause of observation. より is a particle that simply marks the lesser or rejected side inside an explicit AはBより… pattern, and it also appears in fixed
- に比べると/比べて Use に比べて when you want to present one thing as the baseline and comment on how the other stands against it.
- より Use より when you mark the item that loses the comparison or the option being rejected in an AはBより… sentence.
| Grammar point | Meaning | JLPT level |
|---|---|---|
| に比べると/比べて ni beruto bete | Compared with / in comparison to | N3 |
| より yori | Than/More than | N5 |
に比べると/比べて ni beruto bete
Compared with / in comparison to
Compared with/to; when compared with/to; in comparison to | If we compare (it) with/to; comparing (it) with.
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この新しい（コンピュータ）モデルは、古いモデルと比べて演算が三倍速くなっている。
When compared with the older (computer) model, the operation speed of this new model is three times as fast.
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今年は去年に比べて雨の日が多いようだ。
In comparison to last year, we seem to have more rainy days this year.
より yori
Than/More than
A particle which indicates that something/someone is being compared with something/someone.
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これより方法はありません。 バスで行くより仕方がありません。
There is no other way than this. There is no other way than to go by bus.
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それは赤と言うより 茶色に近かった。
That was closer to brown rather than saying it was red.
に比べると/比べて and より are JLPT N5–N3 grammar points that Japanese learners often mix up. This page compares them side by side — meanings, usage and example sentences — so you can tell them apart.