This is the 20th most frequent Czech word.
než
"Než" means "than" or "before" in English, depending on context.
Here, 'než' is used to introduce a comparison between two options, indicating preference.
Je lepší být trpělivý, než spěchat a udělat chybu.
It is better to be patient than to rush and make a mistake.
In this sentence, 'než' is used to contrast the actual outcome with an expectation, focusing on the comparative aspect.
Udělal to mnohem rychleji, než jsme očekávali.
He did it much faster than we expected.
Here, 'než' precedes a subordinate clause to express preference of one scenario over the other.