何(なに)より

なにより
adverb, expression
above all; more than anything; best of all
expressionevaluation
1. above all; more than anything
Marks one thing as the most important or the best of all: 何(なに)よりも大切(たいせつ) (more important than anything).
Health is more important than anything.
Above all, he values his family.
Above all, this job demands punctuality.
2. the best thing; wonderful (that ~)
After a clause or noun with で, says that something is the best possible outcome, as in ご無事(ぶじ)で何(なに)よりです (I am so glad you are safe).
ご無事(ぶじ)で何(なに)よりです。
I am so glad you are safe.
お元気(げんき)そうで何(なに)よりです。
It is wonderful to see you looking well.
大(おお)きな怪我(けが)がなくて、それが何(なに)よりだった。
Nobody was badly hurt, and that was the main thing.

Common patterns

  • 何(なに)より(も)〜: more ~ than anything
  • 〜で何(なに)よりです: I am glad that ~ (a set phrase of relief and good wishes)
  • 何(なに)よりの〜: the best ~ (何(なに)よりのプレゼント, the best present)

Usage

Sense 2 is a fixed, slightly formal courtesy phrase: ご無事(ぶじ)で何(なに)より, お元気(げんき)で何(なに)より. It expresses relief at someone else's good fortune, so it is not used about oneself.