Translation guide
Expresses that something is the most important, desired, or prioritized thing above all else. In Japanese, this is commonly conveyed through set phrases, adverbial expressions, or by using structures that emphasize 'above all' or 'most of all'.
To state that something is the most important factor or priority.
A very common and natural way to say 'more than anything' when emphasizing importance or priority. It literally means 'more than anything'.
健康は何よりも大切です。
Health is more important than anything.
More than anything, family comes first.
A slightly shorter, more casual version of 何よりも. Often used in spoken Japanese.
何より、君に会えて嬉しい。
More than anything, I'm happy to see you.
Means 'number one' or 'most'. When used with ～たい or ～が好き, it conveys 'more than anything I want/like...'.
今、一番したいことは旅行です。
More than anything, what I want to do now is travel.
A more emphatic and slightly formal expression meaning 'above all else' or 'before anything'. Literally 'even putting aside anything else'.
何をおいても、安全が最優先だ。
More than anything, safety is the top priority.
To express that something is the thing one wants or wishes for more than anything else.
Attach the ～たい form of a verb to express 'more than anything, I want to...'. 何よりも can be placed at the beginning or before the verb.
何よりも君に会いたい。
More than anything, I want to see you.
今は何よりも休みが欲しい。
Right now, more than anything, I want a break.
A slightly more casual version of 何よりも～たい.
何より、成功したい。
More than anything, I want to succeed.
To say that something is loved or liked more than anything else.
Use with 好き to express 'I like ~ more than anything'.
私は何よりも音楽が好きです。
I like music more than anything.
Casual version of the above.
何より、君が好きだ。
More than anything, I love you.
To introduce the most important point among several, similar to 'above all' or 'most of all'.
Means 'among them' or 'especially'. Used to single out the most notable item or reason.
彼は多くの才能があるが、中でも歌が素晴らしい。
He has many talents, but more than anything, his singing is wonderful.
Means 'particularly' or 'especially'. Slightly more formal than 中でも.
Do not directly translate 'more than anything' as 何よりも多く or similar. The natural Japanese expressions are fixed phrases like 何よりも or 何より. Using 多く (many/much) would sound unnatural.
In Japanese, the idea of 'more than anything' is often implied through context or by using 一番 (most) or 本当に (really). You don't always need to explicitly say 'more than anything' if the emphasis is clear from the situation.
この料理はとりわけ香りが良い。
This dish, more than anything, has a wonderful aroma.