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〜というより

rather than, not so much … as

Plain form / Noun + というより

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というより corrects a description to a better one: 彼は友達というより、家族のような存在だ, "he's not so much a friend as family".

The first part isn't wrong, just not quite right; the second part fits better. It's common for adjusting a word: 暖かいというより、暑いくらいだ, "it's not so much warm as hot".

Plain より compares amounts (more than, less than). というより compares descriptions: which word describes the thing better?

In casual speech, it's っていうより, and っていうか at the start of a sentence means "or rather" or "I mean", a very common filler among young people.

Examples

  • 彼かれは友達ともだちというより、家族かぞくのような存在そんざいだ。

    He's not so much a friend as family.

  • 今日きょうは暖あたたかいというより、暑あついくらいだ。

    Today isn't so much warm as hot.

  • これは料理りょうりというより、芸術げいじゅつだ。

    This isn't so much cooking as art.

  • 疲つかれたというより、眠ねむいんです。

    It's not that I'm tired so much as sleepy.

  • 怒おこっているというより、悲かなしんでいるように見みえた。

    They looked sad rather than angry.

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