JLPT N5 Japanese Comparison Structures

Comparison is a basic skill in any language. In Japanese, there are several simple yet powerful patterns to express comparisons. Whether you’re saying “Tokyo is bigger than Osaka” or “Which is better, tea or coffee?”, mastering these forms is essential for daily communication and JLPT N5 preparation.

1. Comparing Two Things: AはBより + Adjective

This structure means “A is more [adjective] than B.” The key particle here is より (yori), which indicates the standard for comparison.

Examples:

• 東京は大阪より大きいです。
  Tokyo wa Osaka yori ookii desu.
  Tokyo is bigger than Osaka.
• 夏は冬より暑いです。
  Natsu wa fuyu yori atsui desu.
  Summer is hotter than winter.
• 日本語は英語より難しいです。
  Nihongo wa eigo yori muzukashii desu.
  Japanese is more difficult than English.
• この店はあの店より安いです。
  Kono mise wa ano mise yori yasui desu.
  This shop is cheaper than that one.

Practice:

1. Create 3 sentences using this pattern with your favorite places.
2. Use adjectives like 高い (tall), 速い (fast), おいしい (delicious), and 新しい (new).

2. Asking “Which is More…?”: AとBとどちらが + Adjective + ですか

Use this pattern to ask for a comparison between two items. The word どちら (dochira) means “which (of two)”.

Examples:

• 日本と韓国とどちらが大きいですか。
  Nihon to Kankoku to dochira ga ookii desu ka?
  Which is larger, Japan or Korea?
• 犬と猫とどちらが好きですか。
  Inu to neko to dochira ga suki desu ka?
  Which do you like more, dogs or cats?
• 夏と冬とどちらが好きですか。
  Natsu to fuyu to dochira ga suki desu ka?
  Which do you prefer, summer or winter?

Practice:

• Ask a friend 3 questions using this pattern.
• Try with: パンとごはん (bread and rice), 映画と本 (movies and books), 東京と京都 (Tokyo and Kyoto).

3. Saying “The Most”: Aがいちばん + Adjective + です

To express the superlative, use いちばん (ichiban), which means “the most” or “number one”.

Examples:

• 富士山が日本でいちばん高い山です。
  Fujisan ga Nihon de ichiban takai yama desu.
  Mount Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan.
• 田中さんがクラスでいちばん頭がいいです。
  Tanaka-san ga kurasu de ichiban atama ga ii desu.
  Tanaka is the smartest in the class.
• このケーキがいちばんおいしいです。
  Kono keeki ga ichiban oishii desu.
  This cake is the most delicious.

Practice:

• Write 3 sentences about your favorite things using this pattern.
• Example: “いちばん好きなスポーツはサッカーです” (My favorite sport is soccer).

4. Expressing Equality: AもBも + Adjective

Use this pattern to say that both A and B share the same quality.

Examples:

• 日本も韓国も料理が美味しいです。
  Nihon mo Kankoku mo ryouri ga oishii desu.
  Both Japanese and Korean food are delicious.
• 山田さんも鈴木さんも親切です。
  Yamada-san mo Suzuki-san mo shinsetsu desu.
  Both Yamada and Suzuki are kind.
• 春も秋も天気がいいです。
  Haru mo aki mo tenki ga ii desu.
  Both spring and autumn have good weather.

Practice:

1. Make 3 sentences using this pattern with your favorite people, places, or things.
2. Practice orally with a study partner using flashcards of nouns and adjectives.

Tips for Using Comparison Structures

• Know your adjectives: In Japanese, adjectives are either -i adjectives or -na adjectives. Be careful when attaching them to comparison structures.
• Mind the particles: Particles like は, が, も, and より are key to making your sentence clear and correct.
• Practice with real situations: Compare items around you, such as foods, places, people, or seasons.

Exercise Quiz

Choose the correct comparison form:

1. この本はあの本______面白いです。
   A. より
   B. も
   C. が
2. りんごとバナナと、______が好きですか。
   A. なに
   B. どちら
   C. どれ
3. 彼がクラスで______速いです。
   A. より
   B. いちばん
   C. どちら

Answers: 1–A, 2–B, 3–B

Summary

• AはBより + Adjective: A is more [adj] than B
• AとBとどちらが + Adjective ですか: Which is more [adj], A or B?
• Aがいちばん + Adjective: A is the most [adj]
• AもBも + Adjective: Both A and B are [adj]

By mastering these comparison structures, you’ll be able to express preferences, describe characteristics, and make clearer conversations. Keep practicing and try to use them in your daily life and writing!

🔗 Related Grammar & Vocabulary

• JLPT N5 Grammar List – 60 Essential Grammar Points
• そう思います – I think so
• そうだ – I heard that
• た-form – past tense; completed action
• て-form – connects actions; request form
• てください – please do ~
• と – and; with; if/when
• ところ – about to; in the middle of
• とき – when
• は – topic marker
• よく – often; well

thuandao

I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.