〜のほうが

Formationnoun + のほうが + adjective

のほうが picks a side: this is the bigger, cheaper, better of the two. It usually turns up with より naming the other option, and it is the natural answer to a which-do-you-prefer question. ほう means side, which is a useful image to hold on to.

Examples

〜のほうが is marked in each sentence. Tap any word for its dictionary entry.

1. 天気てんきは今日きょうの方ほうが少すこしはましだ。

   The weather is a shade better today.

2. 前者ぜんしゃより後者こうしゃの方ほうがいい。

   The former is better than the latter.

3. あなたは和服わふくの方ほうがよく似合にあいます。

   You look good in a kimono.

4. 一般いっぱんに男子だんしの方ほうが女子じょしより背せが高たかい。

   Boys, as a rule, are taller than girls.

5. 私わたしは濃こい赤色あかいろの方ほうが好すきだ。

   I like dark red better.