How to use 'no hōga'? (1 Viewer)

[Callistogenic]

My Japanese teacher mentioned this to me I don't know how many times when you want to do a comparison between two things, but I still don't remember how to do it.

Can someone show me and give examples?

Domo arigato gozaimasu.

 

[mushroom_head]

you use it when u compare 2 things, eg apples and oranges:

ringo to orenji to dochira no hou ga suki desu ka.
which do u prefer, apples or oranges?

put the things u are comparing first and then 'no hou ga' then the question. when u answer the question, put the noun then 'no hou ga'
eg:

ringo no hou ga suki desu.
i like apples.

hope that makes sense

 

[Callistogenic]

Yes, that part makes sense, but in which order do you put them in?

Here's a better example:
If I wanted to make a comparison between the size of Japan compared to Australia, what one do I put first?

 

[mushroom_head]

it doesn't really matter... u can say:

nihon to o-sutoraria to dochira no hou ga ookii desu ka.
or
o-sutoraria to nihon to dochira no hou ga ookii desu ka.

 

[Wilmo]

You can also say:

Nihon yori Australia ha ichiban ooki kuni desu.

That says Australia is a bigger country THAN japan.


OR

Nihon to kurabete Australia ha ichiban ooki kuni desu.

Compared to Japan, Australia is the biggest country.

 

[Lexicographer]

The appendage of "no hou" is unnecessary, it simply makes a sentence slightly more formal or aurally/culturally pleasing. It is never required for the sake of meaning but (I am told) there are rare cases where it can be used for clarity.

Come on, it just means "the way of..."

 

[govich]

why use ichiban? in a way it defeats the purpose of the hou/yori structure.

also, hiroi works better than ookii.

anyway, what mushroom_head said pretty much covers it. as long as you put "no hou" with whatever you prefer, order doesn't make a difference (well apart from sometimes sounding awkward ).