Japanese word of the day: 何時もより (Itsumoyori)

What does 何時もより (Itsumoyori) mean?

何時もより (adverb) — The phrase consists of 何時も (itsumo) meaning "always" or "usually" and より (yori) meaning "than," which together form an adverbial expression that means "more than usual". It's used to make comparisons between something's normal state and its current condition.

Kanji details for 何 and 時

Character: 何 — what
Radical: man, human 人 (亻)

Character: 時 — time, hour
Radical: sun, day 日

Example sentences with 何時もより (Itsumoyori)

• 今日は何時もより忙しいです。
  Kyō wa itsumo yori isogashii desu.
  🚶 "Today is busier than usual."

• 彼女は何時もより早く起きました。
  Kanojo wa itsumo yori hayaku okimashita.
  🌅 "She woke up earlier than usual."

• この映画は何時もより面白かったです。
  Kono eiga wa itsumo yori omoshirokatta desu.
  🎞️ "This movie was more interesting than usual."

何時もより (Itsumoyori) in context

何時もより is particularly effective in casual conversation and informal writing when describing changes in routine, unexpected differences, or notable variations from the norm. For example, when discussing changes in weather, workload, or personal habits, 何時もより adds a clear comparative element. When using this phrase, remember to pair it with appropriate adjectives or verbs to complete the comparison—like 何時もより早い (earlier than usual) or 何時もより疲れている (more tired than usual).

However, avoid using 何時もより when making comparisons between two distinct objects or people (use より between the two items instead), or when there's no established "usual" state for comparison. For formal writing or speeches, consider alternatives like 通常より (tsūjō yori) or 普段より (fudan yori), which carry a slightly more formal tone while conveying a similar meaning. Also, be mindful that 何時もより works best with gradable concepts—things that can vary by degree—rather than absolute states.