Japanese for Shoppers: Say 'This One Is Cheaper, Bigger, Fresher'
Learn to compare items by quality in Japanese shops: say 'this one is cheaper, bigger, fresher' using kono hō ga + adjective, and ask which is better.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you shop in Japan, you often need to compare two items directly: this one is cheaper, bigger, or fresher than that one. In Japanese, the key pattern is kono hō ga + adjective. This lesson teaches you to point at an item and state its quality advantage, ask which is better, and understand the reply. You will use kono (this), sono (that near you), and ano (that over there) with hō ga, plus adjectives like yasui (cheap), ōkii (big), and atarashii (fresh). No complicated grammar needed—just a clear, polite pattern for shopping.
By the end, you can…
- say that one item is cheaper, bigger, or fresher than another using kono hō ga + adjective.
- ask which of two items is better using dochira no hō ga + adjective desu ka.
- understand a shopkeeper's reply comparing two items.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
こちらのほうが安いです。
This one is cheaper.
Kochira no hō ga yasui desu.
Point at the item you mean. Kochira is the polite form of kore, commonly used in shops. Hō ga marks the item that has more of the quality.
そちらのほうが大きいです。
That one (near you) is bigger.
Sochira no hō ga ōkii desu.
Use sochira (polite form of sore) for an item near the person you are speaking to. This is useful when a shopkeeper holds up two options.
あちらのほうが新しいです。
That one over there is fresher.
Achira no hō ga atarashii desu.
Use achira (polite form of are) for an item away from both you and the listener. Atarashii can mean new or fresh, depending on context.
どちらのほうが安いですか。
Which one is cheaper?
Dochira no hō ga yasui desu ka.
Use dochira for 'which' between two items. This is polite and common in shops.
こちらのほうがいいです。
This one is better.
Kochira no hō ga ii desu.
Kochira is a polite version of kore, often used for products or choices. Ii means 'good' or 'better' here.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern is: [item] no hō ga + adjective + desu. For example, Kochira no hō ga yasui desu means 'This one is cheaper.' The particle no connects the item to hō, which means 'direction' or 'side.' Hō ga marks the item that has more of the quality. To ask which is better, use Dochira no hō ga + adjective + desu ka. For example, Dochira no hō ga ōkii desu ka means 'Which one is bigger?' You can use kochira, sochira, achira (polite) or kore, sore, are (casual). Kochira is more polite and often used in shops.
When to use it
Use this pattern when you are comparing two specific items and want to highlight a quality. It is perfect for shopping: pointing at two apples and saying Kochira no hō ga atarashii desu (This one is fresher). It also works when a shopkeeper shows you two products. If you want to ask for a recommendation, use Dochira no hō ga ii desu ka (Which one is better?). Avoid using this pattern for more than two items; for three or more, use ichiban (the most), as in Kore ga ichiban yasui desu (This is the cheapest).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、こちらのりんごとそちらのりんごはどちらのほうが安いですか。
Excuse me, which is cheaper, this apple or that apple?Sumimasen, kochira no ringo to sochira no ringo wa dochira no hō ga yasui desu ka.そちらのりんごのほうが安いです。
That apple is cheaper.Sochira no ringo no hō ga yasui desu.そうですか。じゃあ、そちらのりんごのほうが新しいですか。
I see. Then, is that apple fresher?Sō desu ka. Jā, sochira no ringo no hō ga atarashii desu ka.いいえ、こちらのりんごのほうが新しいです。
No, this apple is fresher.Iie, kochira no ringo no hō ga atarashii desu.A little context goes a long way
In Japanese shops, staff often use polite forms like kochira instead of kore. When you compare items, using kochira no hō ga sounds more polite than kore no hō ga. Also, direct comparisons are fine, but adding ne (right?) or desu ne can soften your tone. If you are unsure, asking Dochira no hō ga ii desu ka is a safe, polite way to get a recommendation.
One thing to watch for
Using yori (than) with hō ga, as in Kore wa sore yori yasui desu, when you mean 'This one is cheaper' in a simple comparison.
Try this instead: For a simple 'this one is cheaper' statement, use Kochira no hō ga yasui desu. The yori pattern is also correct but emphasizes the comparison: Kore wa sore yori yasui desu means 'This is cheaper than that.' Both are fine, but hō ga is more direct for shopping.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'That one over there is bigger' using achira?
Show a sample answer
あちらのほうが大きいです。 (Achira no hō ga ōkii desu.)
This uses achira no hō ga + ōkii + desu. You could also say Achira no hō ga ōkii desu ne to seek agreement.
2Ask which one is fresher between two items near you.
Show a sample answer
どちらのほうが新しいですか。 (Dochira no hō ga atarashii desu ka.)
Dochira no hō ga + atarashii + desu ka is the polite question. You can replace atarashii with yasui or ōkii.
3A shopkeeper says 'Kochira no hō ga ii desu.' What does it mean?
Show a sample answer
This one is better.
Kochira is a polite 'this one,' hō ga marks it, and ii desu means 'is good/better.' It is a recommendation.
To compare two items in Japanese shops, use [item] no hō ga + adjective + desu. Ask with dochira no hō ga + adjective + desu ka. Use kochira for politeness.
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