Translation guide
The English word 'more' is used to indicate a greater amount, degree, or number, and also to form comparatives. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent; the translation depends on the grammatical role and what is being compared. This guide covers the main uses: expressing a greater quantity, forming comparatives, saying 'more than', and common phrases like 'more and more'.
Expressing that there is a larger amount or higher degree of something, often used with nouns or adjectives.
The most common and versatile way to say 'more' when you want a greater amount or degree. It can be used with nouns, adjectives, and verbs. It is neutral and widely used in conversation.
もっと水をください。
Please give me more water.
もっと大きいサイズはありますか？
Do you have a larger size?
Means 'furthermore' or 'even more'. It is slightly more formal than もっと and often used in written language or formal speech. It can also imply 'in addition'.
さらに詳しい情報が必要です。
We need more detailed information.
Literally 'a greater amount of'. It is a direct translation of 'more' when modifying a noun, but it sounds stiff and is mainly used in formal writing or translations.
より多くの人がこの問題に関心を持っている。
More people are interested in this issue.
Forming the comparative degree of adjectives or adverbs, like 'more interesting' or 'more quickly'.
Simply place もっと before the adjective or adverb. This is the most natural way to form comparatives in everyday Japanese.
この本はもっと面白い。
This book is more interesting.
もっとゆっくり話してください。
Please speak more slowly.
Expressing that something exceeds a certain number or amount, like 'more than 10 people' or 'more than expected'.
Attach 以上 to a number or quantity to mean 'more than' or 'or more'. It includes the stated number. For example, 10以上 means '10 or more'.
10人以上の人が来ました。
More than 10 people came.
Used to compare quantities with a noun. It literally means 'more numerous than [noun]'. It is straightforward but slightly less common in casual speech.
Describing a gradual increase over time, like 'more and more people' or 'getting more and more difficult'.
Expressing that something has ceased or that there is no longer any of something.
The standard way to say 'not anymore' or 'no longer'. もう with a negative verb means the action or state has stopped.
もうお金がありません。
I have no more money.
彼はもうここに住んでいない。
He doesn't live here anymore.
Requesting repetition or indicating an additional time.
The most common way to say 'once more' or 'again'. It is polite and can be used in most situations.
もう一度言ってください。
Please say it once more.
While 多く means 'many' or 'much', using it alone to mean 'more' often sounds unnatural. Instead, use もっと or comparative structures like より多い. For example, 'more people' is usually もっと多くの人 or より多くの人, not just 多くの人.
もっと多くの人が必要です。
We need more people.
Both mean 'more', but もっと is conversational and general, while さらに is more formal and often implies an additional layer or step. Use もっと for everyday requests and comparisons; use さらに in presentations, essays, or when emphasizing 'furthermore'.
もっと時間が必要です。
I need more time.
これはあれよりおいしい。
This is more delicious than that.
ますます多くの人が都市に移住している。
More and more people are moving to cities.
Used when comparing two things explicitly. The pattern is 'A より B のほうが [adjective]' meaning 'B is more [adjective] than A'. This is a fundamental comparative structure.
東京より大阪のほうがにぎやかだ。
Osaka is more lively than Tokyo.
Means 'even more' or 'still more', often used in written language or formal speech to emphasize an increase in degree.
問題はいっそう複雑になった。
The problem became even more complicated.
今年の参加者は去年より多い。
There are more participants this year than last year.
When 'more than' implies an excess, you can use the verb stem + すぎる to mean 'too much'. This is not a direct translation but conveys the idea of exceeding a desirable limit.
食べすぎた。
I ate more than I should have. (I ate too much.)
An adverb meaning 'increasingly' or 'more and more'. It is used with adjectives and verbs to indicate a growing trend.
日本語がますます上手になりました。
Your Japanese has gotten better and better.
ますます多くの人がインターネットを使っている。
More and more people are using the internet.
An onomatopoeic adverb meaning 'rapidly' or 'steadily', often used for things progressing quickly. It implies a continuous increase.
物価がどんどん上がっている。
Prices are going up more and more.
Means 'even more' or 'all the more', emphasizing a noticeable increase. It is slightly formal.
彼の演奏は一段と上手になった。
His performance has become even better.
Literally 'more than this', used with a negative to mean 'no more' in the sense of 'cannot continue' or 'cannot endure'.
これ以上待てません。
I can't wait any more.
Similar to もう一度, but slightly more casual. 回 is a counter for occurrences.
もう一回やってみよう。
Let's try it once more.