というより
Meanings
- not so much A as B
- more of A than B
- rather than saying that …
- it's more about X than Y
About this pattern
Explanation
というより is used to correct or refine what someone just said by presenting a more accurate or stronger contrast. It signals that the following description is closer to the truth than the previous interpretation. It often translates to “more like … than …,” “not so much … as …,” or “rather than saying that ….” It’s commonly used in casual to semi-formal speech when you want to pivot from a likely assumption to a more precise characterization. Typical contexts include comparing two qualities, redefining a statement, or emphasizing a nuanced distinction between what something is and what it is not.
Learn in context
Example sentences
He's more like a brother than a friend.
This place is more about the atmosphere than the taste.
This sentence is not so much difficult as troublesome.
She is more of a leader than a mayor.
It's not cheap; it's more like very expensive.
Keep studying
More N3 patterns
It would be good if you do X; You should do X; It's enough to do X
View detailsIt would be nice if ...; It would be good if ...; Should ...; I hope ...
View detailsduring; while; throughout; in the process of
View detailswhile; during; between; in the period of
View detailsDuring the period of / while; Before something changes or happens; Within the time when ... happens
View detailsbefore it happens; before doing something becomes true; before it ends/advances; before it’s no longer possible; while still in the state of not ...
View details