N2187/217

何より

何より何よりも何より + adjective/な-adjective/verb何よりも + adjective/verb (emphatic form)

Meanings

  • Most important; above all; best; more than anything
  • Be glad; be relieved
  • More than anything else
  • Above all else

About this pattern

Explanation

何より is a versatile adverb used to emphasize that something is more important or preferable than anything else. It can express both a strong preference and a feeling of relief or happiness when describing what matters most in a situation. Use it to highlight priority, value, or emotional emphasis. In everyday speech, 何より and 何よりも are interchangeable in many cases, with 何よりも sounding a bit more formal or emphatic. It typically comes before the thing that is being prioritized or emphasized, often modifying adjectives or verbs (e.g., 何より嬉しい, 何より大切だ). It can also introduce a sentence that contrasts or prioritizes a point, as in 何より、〜が重要だ, meaning “Above all, ... is important.” Keep in mind that when you want to stress “more than anything,” 何よりも is a common and natural choice.

Learn in context

Example sentences

彼女の合格通知を受けて、何より嬉しかった。

After receiving her acceptance notice, I was more than happy.

健康が何より大切だ。

Health is more important than anything.

何よりも家族の時間が欲しい。

More than anything, I want time with my family.

何より、まず謝るべきだった。

Above all, I should have apologized first.

何より、皆さんの安全が最優先です。

Above all, everyone's safety is the top priority.