〜のほうが 形容詞です

Meaning

This pattern is used when comparing two things and choosing one that has more of a particular quality. The complete form is 'Noun1より Noun2のほうが Adjective です' (Noun2 is more adjective than Noun1). It's commonly used as a response to the question 'Noun1 と Noun2 と どちらが...ですか' (Which do you prefer, A or B?). You can also replace 'Noun1より' with 'Noun1と比べて' (compared to Noun1).

Formation

Examples

1. A:着物と 洋服と どちらが 好きですか。 B:洋服より 着物の方が 好きです。
   A: Which do you like better, Japanese kimono or Western clothes? B: I like kimono better than Western clothes.

2. 私は 猫より 犬の方が 好きです。
   Compared to cats, I like dogs more.

3. 私は 猫と 比べて 犬の方が 好きです。
   I like dogs more when compared to cats.

4. 京都へ 行くなら、飛行機と 比べて、新幹線の方が 便利だと 思います。
   If you're going to Kyoto, I think the Shinkansen is more convenient than the airplane.

Summary

• Use のほうが to compare two items and emphasize which one has a greater quality
• The pattern can use either より or と比べて to indicate the first item being compared
• This is typically a response to どちら (which one) questions about preferences or comparisons