～というより — B rather than A | JLPT N3 grammar

Meaning

Use it when the first label A is not quite right and the speaker replaces it with the more accurate B. It is not for choosing between two options or numerically comparing their degree.

Formation

A＋というより（むしろ）＋B

When to use it

Where to use it: It fits relabeling an impression, motive, or situation: not a request but an order; not dinner but an experiment.
Where not to use it: Do not use it when A and B are merely listed, equally true, or compared quantitatively.

Examples

20 sentences

彼かれとは友達ともだちというより仕事上しごとじょうのライバルだ。
He and I are work rivals rather than friends.
美知子みちこは歩くあるくというより走ってはしっているという感じかんじだ。
Michiko looks as though she is running rather than walking.
これは説明せつめいというより言い訳いいわけに聞こえるきこえる。
This sounds more like an excuse than an explanation.
部長ぶちょうに頼まれたたのまれたというより命令めいれいされたと言ったいったほうが正しいただしい。
It would be more accurate to say that the manager ordered me rather than asked me.
彼かれは慎重しんちょうだというより決断けつだんが遅いおそい。
He is not so much cautious as slow to make decisions.
この部屋へやは狭いせまいというより物ものが多すぎるおおすぎる。
This room is not so much small as filled with too many things.
会場かいじょうは静かしずかというより、全員ぜんいんが息いきを止めとめたようだった。
The hall was not merely quiet; it felt as though everyone was holding their breath.
昨夜さくやの料理りょうりは夕食ゆうしょくというより、科学実験かがくじっけんだった。
Last night's cooking was more of a science experiment than dinner.

12 more examples

彼かれは怒っおこっているというより、結果けっかを心配しんぱいしているようだ。
He seems worried about the result rather than angry.
このかばんは青いあおいというより、深いふかい海うみのような緑色みどりいろだ。
This bag is not so much blue as the green of the deep sea.
この部屋へやは狭いせまいというより物ものが多すぎおおすぎます
The room is not so much small as overcrowded with things.
あの人ひとは先生せんせいというより友達ともだちのようです
That person feels more like a friend than a teacher.
今日きょうは寒いさむいというより涼しいすずしいです
Today is cool rather than cold.
この仕事しごとは難しいむずかしいというより時間じかんがかかります
This job is time-consuming rather than difficult.
彼かれは怒っておこっているというよりがっかりしています
He is disappointed rather than angry.
この料理りょうりは甘いあまいというより少しすこし酸っぱいすっぱいです
This dish is slightly sour rather than sweet.
これは旅行りょこうというより冒険ぼうけんでした
It was an adventure rather than an ordinary trip.
彼女かのじょは静かしずかというより話すはなす機会きかいがないのです
She lacks a chance to speak rather than being a quiet person.
この説明せつめいは間違いまちがいというより不十分ふじゅうぶんです
This explanation is incomplete rather than wrong.
心配しんぱいというより楽しみたのしみのほうが大きいおおきいです
I feel more excited than worried.

Important notes

A often remains partly plausible, but B reflects the speaker's view more accurately.

Common mistakes

Do not turn the pattern into literal 'more than'; it corrects the description.
Keep A and B structurally parallel so the direction of the correction is clear.

Check yourself

Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.

Sentence 1: 彼かれは怒っおこっているというより、結果けっかを心配しんぱいしているようだ。 You are no longer a child, so you must not blame other people for your mistakes.He always looks happy, so he must like this job.He seems worried about the result rather than angry.
Sentence 2: 彼かれは怒っておこっているというよりがっかりしています The light's on, so my brother must have come home already.He is disappointed rather than angry.The N3 exam is tomorrow, after all, so let's stop gaming early tonight.
Sentence 3: 心配しんぱいというより楽しみたのしみのほうが大きいおおきいです Since this is your first time, it is all right to make mistakes.There's always a line, so that place must be good.I feel more excited than worried.