Kumi logo
    Kumi

    Learn Japanese. Where understanding folds into fluency.

    Dictionary

    KanjiKanji vocabularyKana vocabularyKanaRadicalsGrammarJLPT N5

    Learn

    GuidesStart where you areWhat is KMT?RoadmapFAQ

    Connect

    EmailDiscordInstagramThreadsTikTokYouTubeLinkedInBlueskyX

    Newsletter

    Start learning free →

    Free forever tier. No card required.

    © 2026 Kumiai Inc. All rights reserved.

    AboutFAQContactStatusPrivacyTermsAttributions
    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜くらい

    〜くらい

    〜くらい

    This word tells you something is 'about' or 'around' a certain amount. It is not exact.

    N4KMT3NeutralStandardCompound ParticleMixedApproximation And ExtentGrammar

    Noun + くらいPrimary
    Verb [dictionary form] + くらい
    い-Adjective + くらい
    な-Adjective + な + くらい
    Demonstrative + くらい

    This word tells you something is 'about' or 'around' a certain amount. It is not exact.

    ここから駅えきまで歩あるいて10分じゅっぷんくらいかかります。

    It takes about 10 minutes to walk from here to the station.

    PoliteNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeDaily LifeTravel & Transportation
    昨きの日うの夜よるは、死しぬかと思おもうくらい怖こわかったです。

    Last night, it was so scary I thought I was going to die.

    PolitePastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeEmotions & Psychology
    あまりの忙いそがしさに、ご飯はんを食たべる時じ間かんもないくらいだった。

    I was so busy that I didn't even have time to eat.

    NeutralPastNegativeSentence EndingDeclarativeWork & CareerDaily Life
    自じ分ぶんの部へ屋やくらい、自じ分ぶんで掃そう除じしなさい。

    At least clean your own room.

    CasualNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceRequestFamily & RelationshipsHome & Housing
    風か邪ぜくらいで仕し事ごとを休やすむわけにはいかない。

    I can't afford to take a day off work for something like a mere cold.

    NeutralNon PastNegativeMid SentenceNecessityWork & CareerMedicine & Health

    Sometimes, when you use this word with a small thing, it can make that thing seem unimportant. It's like saying something is very easy or not a big deal.

    You can often use 〜ぐらい instead of 〜くらい. They mean almost the same thing. 〜ほど also talks about how much. But you cannot use 〜ほど for simple guesses like 'about 10 people'. You use 〜ほど more for negative comparisons. For example, 'not as good as X'.

    Use this when you want to show how much something is. It gives an example of the size or amount. It answers 'how much?' or 'to what degree?'

    Often confused with(1)

    〜ほど

    This shows how much something is. It tells you the level or amount of something.

    Contrasts with(1)

    〜だけ

    This word means 'only' or 'just'. It shows that there is a limit. It tells you there is nothing more.

    Less formal alternatives(1)

    〜ほど

    This shows how much something is. It tells you the level or amount of something.

    辞書形

    This is the basic form of a verb. It is what you find in a dictionary. You use it to make other verb forms.

    〜い / 〜かった

    This is the basic form of an い-adjective. It describes a quality of something. You use it for present or past qualities.

    〜だ / 〜だった

    This means 'is' or 'was'. It is the casual way to say 〜です and 〜でした.

    Kumi logo

    Track your mastery

    Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.

    Related concepts for this entry

    Variants

    • 〜ぐらい

    often_confused_with

    • 〜ほど

    contrasts_with

    • 〜だけ

    prerequisite

    • 辞書形
    • 〜い / 〜かった
    • 〜だ / 〜だった
    • 〜くらいなら

    Similar concepts

    • 〜ばかり (amount)

    Explore more

    Grammar dictionary›Browse all entries›