何より meaning in a sentence


From jisho, it seems like 何より means best, more important than anything, above
all else, etc. The meaning doesn't change much from that. I have heard
ご無事で何よりです. If I use the meaning in jisho, it will sounds like "most
importantly, you are save/ healthy". From the conversation though, this
translation doesn't seem too cohesive so to say. In other words, it doesn't
fit very well. I judge from my own guts that the more accurate translation of
that phrase is really "it is good to hear that you are save (more then
anything)". I realised that there it still means "more than anything" but
there is also an added nuance that is (probably) more important and that is
"it is good to hear". Am I right on this or is what I am saying utter
gibberish that is meant for the garbage




As you have correctly suspected, this type of 何よりだ is a common and polite set
phrase used simply like "(I'm) very glad to hear/see (that)". You have to
remember this usage as a fixed pattern. It can still mean "more important than
anything", depending on the context. Compare the following two sentences:

> 子供には親の健康が何よりです。  
>  For children, the health of the parents is more important than anything.
>
> お母様は健康なようで、何よりです。  
>  I'm glad to hear your mother is healthy.

Other examples:

  * それは何より。  
Glad to hear that.

  * 理解していただければ何よりです。  
I would greatly appreciate if you understand this.

