JLPT N4 grammar
のほうが — Meaning & Examples
"The side of ~ is more". Used to emphasise one side. AよりBのほうが = B is more than A. Often the answer to どちら questions.
The “ABさんのほうが” Pattern
Another way to compare — emphasising which side is more.
AよりBのほうが [adjective]です。
のほうが literally means "the side of B".
Examples:
スシよりラーメンのほうがすきです。(sushi yori rāmen no hō ga suki desu.)
= I like ramen more than sushi.
車より電車のほうがべんりです。(kuruma yori densha no hō ga benri desu.)
= The train is more convenient than the car.
Both patterns mean the same thing!
ラーメンはスシよりすきです。(rāmen wa sushi yori suki desu.) = ramen is more liked than sushi (focus on ramen)
スシよりラーメンのほうがすきです。(sushi yori rāmen no hō ga suki desu.) = compared to sushi, ramen is more liked (slight emphasis on "more")
Use whichever feels natural — native speakers use both.
Practice questions
Try this question on のほうが. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. "I prefer tea" (answering preference) is?
- お茶のほうがすきです
- お茶をほしいです
- お茶もすきです
- お茶にします
Show answer
Answer: お茶のほうがすきです
のほうが emphasises which side. お茶のほうがすき = I prefer tea (literally: the side of tea is more liked).
Practise のほうが in the free app
This point is part of the “Making Comparisons” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N4 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N4 grammar points
From the same lesson: Making Comparisons
Frequently asked questions
What does のほうが mean?
"The side of ~ is more". Used to emphasise one side. AよりBのほうが = B is more than A. Often the answer to どちら questions.
Is のほうが on the JLPT N4 test?
のほうが is taught in the JLPT N4 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Making Comparisons”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise のほうが?
Open the “Making Comparisons” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N4 mock exams, with no ads.