なにより

About

「何なにより」 ("more than anything") can be used as both an adverb and a phrase, and is used to express that a given outcome or situation is desirable in some way, or "the most X".

Translation of 何なにより is fairly loose, as its base meaning of "more than anything" usually doesn't fit the English approximation of a given sentence. "(I'm) just glad that.../It's great that.../the most..." are common translations, but we'll have to be flexible!

〜て何なにより (phrasal usage) is generally used in polite contexts, while 何なにより's adverbial usage may be used in both polite and casual conversation.

As a set phrase, 何なにより attaches to the て form of verbs, or to the auxiliary verb そう with で attached.

E.g. マイクさん、お久ひさしぶりです。お元気げんきそうで何なによりです。 "It's been a while, Mike. I'm glad you seem to be doing well."

E.g. 軽かるい怪我けがで済すんでなによりですよ。 "I'm just glad that you got away with only minor injuries."

As an adverb, 何なにより can come at the start, in the middle, or at the end of a sentence/phrase.

E.g. 何なによりすごかったのは、適当てきとうに投なげたボールがあのコップに入はいったことだ。 "The most incredible thing was that the ball they threw randomly went in that cup."

E.g. 自分じぶんの力ちからを信しんじることが何なによりも大切たいせつだ！ "The most important thing is to believe in your own strengths!"

Summary

• 

  「何なにより」 ("more than anything") can be used as both an adverb and a phrase

• 

  As a set phrase, 何なにより attaches to the て form of verbs, or to the auxiliary verb そう with で attached

• 

  As an adverb, 何なにより can come at the start, in the middle, or at the end of a sentence/phrase

• 

  〜て何なにより (adverbial usage) is generally used in polite contexts, while 何なにより's phrasal usage may be used in both polite and casual conversation