にもまして

More than Ever

Level 5Sounds Like nimomashite

にもまして means "even more than" or "above all else." It is a formal way to show that while both things being compared have a certain quality, the second one has it to a much higher degree.

How It Works

1. Meaning and Nuance
Unlike the neutral より (than), にもまして carries a nuance of "even more than usual" or "more than anything else." It suggests that the baseline was already high or noteworthy. The expression is derived from the verb 増す（ます）, meaning "to increase." For example, saying "Today is hotter than yesterday" with より is a simple fact. Using にもまして implies yesterday was hot, but today is exceptionally so.

2. Grammatical Structure
It attaches directly to nouns:

  • [Noun] + にもまして

Common combinations include:

  • いつにもまして: More than ever / more than usual.
  • 何にもまして: More than anything / above all else.
  • 以前にもまして: Even more than before.

It can also be paired with various interrogatives to create superlatives, such as 誰（だれ）にもまして (more than anyone) or どこにもまして (more than anywhere).

3. Register
This is a formal and literary expression. You will encounter it in speeches, news reports, and literature. In casual conversation, speakers usually prefer より or simply using adverbs like もっと.

4. Usage with Negatives
Contrary to some beliefs, it is not limited to positive growth. It can describe worsening conditions, such as an illness becoming even more severe than the previous day.

Examples (4)

  1. 今年の夏は、去年にもまして暑さが厳しい。

    This summer's heat is even more severe than last year's.

    Word by Word: This year's summer as for, last year even more than heat is severe.

    This implies that last year was also hot, but this year has reached an even higher level of severity.

  2. 彼女は今日、いつにもまして輝いて見える。

    She looks more radiant today than ever before.

    Word by Word: She as for today, whenever even more than shining looks.

    The phrase 'いつにもまして' is a very common set expression meaning 'more than usual' or 'more than ever.'

  3. 何にもまして重要なのは、健康である。

    What is important above all else is being healthy.

    Word by Word: Anything even more than important thing as for, health is.

    Here, '何にもまして' emphasizes that health is the top priority, exceeding all other concerns.

  4. 景気は以前にもまして悪化している。

    The economy is worsening even more than before.

    Word by Word: Economic conditions as for, before even more than worsening is doing.

    This demonstrates that the pattern can be used for negative trends or worsening states.

Common Mistakes

  • Using it for simple, everyday comparisons.

    リンゴはオレンジにもまして好きです。
    リンゴはオレンジより好きです。

    Using 'にもまして' for simple preferences like 'I like apples more than oranges' sounds unnaturally stiff and dramatic. Use 'より' for standard comparisons.

  • Attaching it directly to verbs.

    食べるにもまして寝るのが好きだ。
    食べることにもまして寝るのが好きだ。

    The pattern must attach to a noun. To use a verb, you must first nominalize it using 'こと' or 'の'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

にもましてLevel 5More than Ever

Learn This First

The pattern 'にもまして' is a formal comparative expression. It is constructed using the particles 'に' and 'も' combined with the continuative form of the verb 'まさる' (to excel/surpass). To understand this pattern, learners need to be familiar with basic particle usage and the concept of comparison in Japanese.

Words in This Pattern

にもまして増す