How 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 | When measured against something else; relative to | N3 |
| より yori | Marks a comparison, meaning 'than' or 'more than' something | N5 |
に比べると/比べて ni beruto bete
When measured against something else; relative to
に比べると/比べて sets up a comparison between two things, meaning one item is measured against another. It follows a noun, either directly with に比べる or with と比べる, and the compared clause typically ends in a plain form. Both に比べて and と比べて appear in the examples.
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彼の最近作の小説は以前のに比べて長足の進歩を示している。
His latest novel marks a great advance on his previous ones.
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中国人と比べて、日本人は外国語が不得手である。
Compared with the Chinese, the Japanese are poor linguists.
より yori
Marks a comparison, meaning 'than' or 'more than' something
より marks the standard of comparison, meaning 'than'. It follows a noun, as in トニーより, and can also combine with も (よりも) for emphasis. The compared item carries an adjective or other predicate expressing the greater degree.
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名前はリンダで、トニーより１つ年下でした。
Her name was Linda, and she was a year younger than Tony.
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湾にはセーリングボートよりヨットがたくさんある。
The bay has more yachts than sailboats.
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 on meanings, usage and example sentences, so you can tell them apart.