N3 Contrast, Comparison, and Concession

~というより: meaning, usage and examples

~というより means: rather than... / more like...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 今年ことしの夏なつはすずしいというより寒さむいくらいです。

   This year's summer has been cold rather than just cool.

2. 彼かれは学者がくしゃというより、小説家しょうせつかだ。

   He is more of a novelist than a scholar.

3. 鈴木すずきさんは友ともだちというより家族かぞくのような人ひとです。

   Ms. Suzuki is more like family than a friend.

4. 今日きょうは雨あめというより、嵐あらしですね。

   Today it's less like rain and more like a storm.

When to use it

Means 'rather than X, it's more like Y'. Use it when the first word is not quite right and you want a better or stronger description: 友ともだちというより家族かぞく 'more like family than a friend'. The second part is the speaker's more accurate choice. It often comes with むしろ or くらい.

Nuance

Used in both speech and writing; neutral in register. It does not say X is false, only that Y fits better. The second part often goes further than the first: 涼すずしいというより寒さむい.

Compare

Compare より (comparison): 東京とうきょうより大阪おおさかが好すき compares two things. というより corrects your own description of one thing: 好すきというより尊敬そんけいしている 'it's more respect than liking'. Compare というか, a casual hedge that is more vague.

Tip: Think "not so much X as Y." If you are comparing two separate things, use より instead.