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at least/to the extent of
Definition
The grammar pattern 【名詞/動詞/い形容詞/な形容詞】＋くらい/ぐらい is used to indicate the degree or extent of something by providing an example. It can also suggest a minimum level or value. This pattern is often used to describe a situation or condition that is at least to a certain extent. For example, if someone says "お腹が空いて、死ぬくらいです", it means that they are so hungry that they might die. The nuance of this pattern is that it implies a certain level or degree of something, but it does not necessarily mean that it is exactly that level. It can also be used to suggest a minimum level or value, such as "ひらがなを１時間ぐらい勉強した" which means that someone has studied hiragana for at least an hour.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 動詞 | 動詞＋くらい/ぐらい | 走るくらい速い |
| い形容詞 | い形容詞＋くらい/ぐらい | 寒いくらい |
| な形容詞 | な形容詞＋くらい/ぐらい | 難しいくらい |
| 名詞 | 名詞＋くらい/ぐらい | １時間ぐらい |
Examples
お腹が空いて、死ぬくらいです
おなかがあいて、しんくらいです
I'm so hungry that I might die.
おなかがあいて (I'm hungry) + しんくらい (to the extent that I might die)
ひらがなを１時間ぐらい勉強した
ひらがなを１じかんぐらいべんきょうした
I studied hiragana for at least an hour.
ひらがなを (hiragana) + １じかんぐらい (at least an hour)
昨日は１時間ぐらい泳ぎました
きのうは１じかんぐらいおよぎました
I swam for at least an hour yesterday.
きのうは (yesterday) + １じかんぐらい (at least an hour) + およぎました (I swam)
この本は読むくらい簡単です
このほんはよむくらいかんたんです
This book is easy to read to the extent that it's almost too simple.
この本は (this book) + よむくらい (to the extent that it's easy to read) + かんたんです (it's almost too simple)
彼女は１時間ぐらい歩いた
かのじょは１じかんぐらいあるいた
She walked for at least an hour.
かのじょは (she) + １じかんぐらい (at least an hour) + あるいた (she walked)
Context
This pattern is used to indicate the degree or extent of something by providing an example. It can also suggest a minimum level or value. This pattern is often used in casual conversations and is not typically used in formal writing. It can be used with both positive and negative adjectives and verbs.
Watch out
Goro is used to indicate a specific point in time, whereas 'くらい/ぐらい' is used to indicate a degree or extent.
Hodo is used to indicate a degree or extent, but it implies a more specific level than 'くらい/ぐらい'.
When using 'くらい/ぐらい' with time durations, be careful not to imply a specific time, but rather a general idea of the time.
Strategy
When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, be careful not to confuse it with other patterns that indicate degree or extent. Make sure to use the correct form of the verb or adjective, and pay attention to the nuance of the sentence.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N3 test-style questions. Each sentence shows 【名詞/動詞/い形容詞/な形容詞】＋くらい/ぐらい used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
お腹が空いて、死ぬくらいです。
Pattern used: くらい
Uses 'kurai' to show the extreme extent of hunger (to the point of dying).
ひらがなくらい、誰でも書けますよ。
Pattern used: くらい
Here 'kurai' indicates a minimum level (at least hiragana).
昨日は１時間ぐらい泳ぎました。
Pattern used: ぐらい
'Gurai' is used for duration, whereas 'goro' is for a specific time point.
Interactive
お腹が空いて、死ぬ______です。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.