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Definition
The grammar pattern 【名詞】＋ほど＋【否定形】 is used to express that the subject is not at the same level or degree as the noun mentioned. It emphasizes the difference between the two, often with a negative connotation. For example, "今年は去年ほど暑くない" means "This year is not as hot as last year." This pattern is commonly used to compare two things and highlight their differences.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present Negative Form | 【名詞】＋ほど＋ない | 今年は去年ほど暑くない |
| Past Negative Form | 【名詞】＋ほど＋なかった | 彼は去年ほど歌が上手だった |
| Potential Negative Form | 【名詞】ほど＋ない | 都会の生活は、思っていたほど大変ではありません |
Examples
今年は去年ほど暑くないですね。
Kyonen wa kyonen hodo atsuku nai desu ne.
This year is not as hot as last year.
今年 (kyonen) = this year, 去年 (kyonen) = last year, ほど (hodo) = as, 暑くない (atsuku nai) = not hot
彼は去年ほど歌が上手な人はいません。
Kare wa kyonen hodo uta ga jouzu na hito ga inai desu.
There is no one as good at singing as he was last year.
彼 (kare) = he, 去年 (kyonen) = last year, ほど (hodo) = as, 歌が上手な人 (uta ga jouzu na hito) = good at singing, はいません (hai nai) = there is no
都会の生活は、思っていたほど大変ではありません。
Toshi no seikatsu wa, omotte ita hodo taihen dewa arimasen.
The city life is not as difficult as I thought it would be.
都会の生活 (toshi no seikatsu) = city life, 思っていた (omotte ita) = I thought, ほど (hodo) = as, 大変 (taihen) = difficult, ではありません (de wa arimasen) = is not
Context
This pattern is used to express a negative comparison between two things. It is often used in situations where the speaker wants to emphasize the difference between the two. The pattern can be used in formal and informal writing, as well as in spoken language.
Watch out
In a negative comparison, 'hodo' is used instead of 'yori'. For example, "今年は去年ほど暑くない" is correct, but "今年は去年より暑くない" is incorrect.
In a negative comparison, a negative verb is used instead of a positive one. For example, "今年は去年ほど暑くない" is correct, but "今年は去年ほど暑い" is incorrect.
In a negative comparison, the subject is compared to the noun mentioned. For example, "今年は去年ほど暑くない" is correct, but "去年ほど今年は暑くない" is incorrect.
Strategy
In the JLPT exam, this pattern is often tested in the reading comprehension section. Be careful to use the correct form of the verb and the correct order of comparison.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N3 test-style questions. Each sentence shows 【名詞】＋ほど＋【否定形】 used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
今年は去年ほど暑くないですね。
Pattern used: ほど
'Hodo' + negative is the standard way to say 'not as... as'.
彼ほど歌が上手な人はいません。
Pattern used: ほど
Emphasizes that no one else reaches his level of singing ability.
都会の生活は、思っていたほど大変ではありません。
Pattern used: ほど
Compares reality to expectation using the negative 'not as... as'.
Interactive
今年は去年______暑くないですね。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.