Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 9: 15/23

(なに)よりBe glad, Be relieved, Most, Best, Above all else, More than anything

Structure

(なに)より + ()+ Phrase
(なに)より + + Noun

Details

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About 何より

(なに)より, or (なに)よりも when emphasized, is a common phrase in Japanese that is used when one wants to express that they are 'glad', 'relieved', or that '(A) is more important than anything'. As this structure is simply a combination of the substitute noun (なに) 'what', or 'whatever', and the particle より 'than', the closest literal translation is 'more than anything, (A)'. (なに)より is primarily used to express positive feelings when the actual situation may have been worse, but (A) is the most important.

(なに)より, and (なに)よりも most often behave adverbially, meaning that they can be used at the beginning of a sentence, or right before the word they are describing. However, they occasionally come directly before a noun when followed by の.

As in most cases, も just strengthens the phrase slightly, with no other significant change in nuance.

Examples

--:--

    「ありがとうございます。」
    「お(やく)()てれば、(なに)よりの(しあわ)せです。」

    'Thank you very much.'
    'More than anything it is a blessing to be able to help.' (above all else・more than anything)

    友達(ともだち):「(たが)いに(たす)()うことが(なに)より大事(だいじ)なのよ。」

    Friend: 'Helping one another is the most important thing.' (above all else・more than anything)

    (ひさ)しぶりに挨拶(あいさつ)する(とき):「元気(げんき)そうで(なに)よりです。」

    When greeting someone we haven't seen for a long time: 'I am really glad that you seem to be doing well.' (above all else・more than anything)

    記事(きじ):「両親(りょうしん)にとって自分(じぶん)子供(こども)健康(けんこう)(なに)より大切(たいせつ)です。」

    Article: 'For parents, there is nothing more important than the health of their children.' (above all else・more than anything)

    らくさん:「あなたにもらった(ほん)、わたしの息子(むすこ)がとても()()っています。」
    おのでらさん:「それは(なに)よりです。」

    Raku: 'My child loved the book he received from you.'
    Onodera: 'I am really glad.'

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