Translation guide
How to express that someone or something is superior to another in quality, skill, or other attributes.
To say that A is better than B in a general sense.
The most basic and common way to say 'A is better than B'. より marks the comparison target.
この本はあの本よりいい。
This book is better than that book.
Emphasizes A as the better choice. ほう means 'side' or 'direction'.
電車のほうがバスよりいい。
The train is better than the bus.
Means 'is superior' or 'excels'. More formal and often used in written language.
彼の能力は他の人より優れている。
His ability is superior to others'.
Means 'to surpass' or 'to be better than'. Often used in fixed expressions or formal contexts.
健康は富に勝る。
Health is better than wealth.
To say that someone is more skilled or proficient at something.
Use 上手 (じょうず) for 'good at'. The thing someone is good at is marked with が.
彼は私より料理が上手だ。
He is better at cooking than me.
得意 (とくい) also means 'good at' and often implies confidence or a strong point.
彼女は私より数学が得意だ。
She is better at math than me.
Means 'excels at' or 'is skilled in'. Often used in written descriptions.
彼は語学に長けている。
He excels at languages.
To say that something is of higher quality or performs better.
性能 (せいのう) means 'performance' or 'capability'. Use for machines, devices, etc.
このパソコンは前のより性能がいい。
This computer performs better than the previous one.
質 (しつ) means 'quality'. Use for materials, products, etc.
この店の服はあの店より質がいい。
The clothes at this store are better quality than at that store.
Means 'to exceed' or 'to surpass' in numbers or performance. Often used in business or technical contexts.
To say that something is more suitable, preferable, or a better fit.
向いている means 'is suitable for'. Use when comparing suitability for a task or role.
この仕事は彼のほうが私より向いている。
He is better suited for this job than me.
Can also express preference. Context makes it clear.
夏より冬のほうがいい。
I prefer winter to summer. (Winter is better than summer.)
To say that something is morally better or more desirable.
まし means 'better' in the sense of 'less bad' or 'preferable among bad options'. Often used when both options are not ideal.
遅刻するより欠席のほうがましだ。
Being absent is better than being late (though both are bad).
望ましい means 'desirable' or 'preferable'. More formal and objective.
早期解決が望ましい。
An early resolution is better/desirable.
いい is the most common and versatile. 優れている is more formal and often used for objective superiority. 勝る is literary and often appears in proverbs or fixed phrases.
この車はあの車よりいい。
This car is better than that car. (casual)
この車はあの車より性能が優れている。
This car is superior in performance to that car. (formal)
English 'better than' can be directly translated as よりいい, but in many contexts Japanese uses specific adjectives or verbs. For example, 'better at' uses 上手/得意, 'better quality' uses 質がいい, etc. Using いい for everything can sound unnatural.
新製品の売上は予想を上回った。
Sales of the new product exceeded expectations.