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Japanese grammar

What does ～とは比べものにならない mean? Japanese grammar N1

～とは比べものにならない means cannot be compared to…; in a totally different league from….

Quick facts
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)N1
StructureN + とは比べものにならない
Romajitohakurabemononinaranai
Meaningcannot be compared to…; in a totally different league from…

Forming it

Noun (object)他社の製品 + とは比べものにならない
Noun (reference point)昔 + とは比べものにならない

How to use it

States a difference so large it can't even be put on the scale for comparison.

  • 「～とは比べものにならない」 = the gap is too large, beyond comparison. Usually implies the item being discussed FAR SURPASSES the reference point.
  • 「ほど」 can be added to clarify the direction: 「昔とは比べものにならないほど便利になった」.
  • The reference point stands before 「とは」.

Examples

  • Today’s phones are incomparably more convenient than before.

  • This product’s performance is beyond comparison with other companies’.

Keep in mind

  • Attaches to a noun as the reference point.
  • Often paired with 「ほど」 + an adjective to state the direction of the gap.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong今(いま)の携帯(けいたい)は昔(むかし)と比(くら)べものにならない。

    Today's phones can't be compared to the past.

    Correct今(いま)の携帯(けいたい)は昔(むかし)とは比(くら)べものにならない。

    The standard structure is 「～とは比べものにならない」 (with 「は」 to emphasize the reference point).

  • Wrong兄(あに)と弟(おとうと)は少(すこ)し比(くら)べものにならない。

    The older brother's ability is beyond the younger brother's comparison.

    Correct兄(あに)の実力(じつりょく)は弟(おとうと)とは比(くら)べものにならない。

    This pattern states a VERY LARGE gap, not used for a small difference (「少し」).

Exam tips

  • 「とは比べものにならない」 = the gap is too large; often paired with 「ほど」 to state the direction.

Related patterns

All N1 grammar →