JLPT N3 grammar

〜というよりmeaning and usage

Meaning

Rather than A

This point is also listed at N2.

How to form it

  • verb (plain form)/い-adjectiveというより
  • noun/な-adjective (stem)というより

How it is used

'Rather than A, (it's more like) B': weighs two descriptions and picks the more accurate one. Often followed by 「むしろ」. Used to correct or sharpen a description.

Examples

  1. 弟は昨日の試験に落ちた。 頭がよくないと言うより全然勉強しなかったせいだ。

    My little brother failed the exam yesterday. Rather than saying that he is not smart, it is because he did not study at all.

  2. 今日は暖かいというより、暑いくらいだ。

    Today it's not so much warm as actually hot.

  3. 彼は友達というより、家族のような存在だ。

    He's less a friend than family to me.