NihonGo
Unit 33Phase I · Opinions

ほうがいちばん

Say which you prefer — and which is the best.

の ほうがout of two

Pick the one you like more — between exactly two.

ふゆの ほうが すきです

いちばんout of three or more

“The most” — drop it right before the adjective.

なつが いちばん すきです

ふゆの ほうが すきです。

“I like winter more.”

Step 1

ぶんけい

The patterns: の ほうが (of two) / いちばん (of 3+)

First, の ほうが — choose the one you prefer between two. Add B より in front to say “more than B.” 🔊 Tap any example to hear it.

A のthe one you pick
+
ほうが“the more one”
+
けいようしadjective

Pick the one you like more — out of TWO. の ほうが marks the one you choose, and the adjective (すき, はやい …) is the same one from Phase G. Add B より in front to say “more than B.”

Then いちばん — the “the most.” Drop it right before the adjective to pick the top one out of three or more.

X がthe top one
+
いちばん“the most”
+
けいようしadjective

Say which one is THE most ~ — out of three or more. Just put いちばん right before the adjective. Nothing else changes.

Step 2

かいわ

Q&A — which do you prefer / which is best?

For two things, ask A と B と、どちらが 〜ですか → answer with 〜の ほうが. For three or more, ask 〜の なかで、どれが いちばん 〜ですか → answer with 〜が いちばん.

なつと ふゆと、 どちらが すきですか。

Which do you like more, summer or winter?

ふゆの ほうが すきです。

I like winter more.

でんしゃと バスと ちかてつの なかで、 どれが いちばん はやいですか。

Among the train, bus and subway, which is the fastest?

でんしゃが いちばん はやいです。

The train is the fastest.

Step 3

クイズ

Quiz: prefer or best?

Pick the right piece. Remember: の ほうが & どちらが are for two; いちばん & どれが are for three or more.

Question 1 / 6 · 0 correct

fill the blankでんしゃの ほうが blankThe train is faster (of the two).
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