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Expression of comparison using NO HÔ GA and YORI (Lesson 32)

In Japanese, there are no comparative forms of adjectives. So, we express comparison by using YORI (than), and NO HÔ GA (more, better).

Thailand is generally hotter than Japan. Let’s consider what to say, when we want to say "Thailand is hotter than Japan" in Japanese. "Thailand" is TAI. "Japan" is NIHON. The adjective, "hot," is ATSUI. Here, you are talking about Thailand as a topic. So, you start with TAI WA. Next, you say NIHON (Japan) as you are comparing the climate of Thailand with that of Japan, and add YORI (than) after it.So, you say NIHON YORI. "Hot" is ATSUI. So, "Thailand is hotter than Japan" is TAI WA NIHON YORI ATSUI DESU.

We can also use NO HÔ GA (more, better) to say the same. Here, we start with TAI and add NO HÔ GA, and say TAI NO HÔ GA. Then, we say NIHON (Japan) and add YORI, and say NIHON YORI. Now, "hot" is ATSUI. So "Thailand is hotter than Japan" is TAI NO HÔ GA NIHON YORI ATSUI DESU.