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    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜くらいのものだ

    〜くらいのものだ

    〜くらいのものだ

    This means something is the most you can do. It is the only thing possible. It often shows that the action is not perfect or ideal.

    N1KMT7NeutralStandardNominal ConstructionMixedPartial ConcessionGrammar

    Verb [dictionary form] + くらいのものだPrimary
    Noun + くらいのものだ
    Clause + くらいのものだ

    This means something is the most you can do. It is the only thing possible. It often shows that the action is not perfect or ideal.

    今いまの私わたしにできるのは、ただ待まつことくらいのものだ。

    The only thing I can do now is just wait.

    NeutralNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeEmotions & Psychology
    結けっ局きょく、彼かれができたのは、謝あやまることくらいのものだった。

    In the end, about the only thing he could do was apologize.

    CasualPastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeFamily & Relationships
    この問もん題だいは、単たんに資し金きんを投とう入にゅうすれば解かい決けつするくらいのものではない。

    This problem is not something that can be solved simply by throwing money at it.

    FormalNon PastNegativeSentence EndingDeclarativeBusiness & FinancePolitics & Law
    彼かれにできたのは謝あやまることくらいのもので、その後ごすぐに立たち去さった。

    The most he could do was apologize, and he left right after that.

    NeutralPastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeFamily & Relationships
    専せん門もん家かと言いっても、僕ぼくにわかるのはこの分ぶん野やの初しょ歩ほ的てきな知ち識しきくらいのものだよ。

    Even though you call me an expert, the only thing I really understand is the basic knowledge of this field.

    CasualNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeWork & CareerEducation

    This phrase is like saying 'just' or 'only'. It shows you are being humble. It means something is not very special. Or it is the only choice you have.

    This is like "~nai made mo". But "~nai made mo" means "even if not X, at least Y". This phrase means "the most you can do is Y". It shows a limit. It means you cannot do more than that.

    Don't use this when you want to say something is very good or special. For example, you would not say "これは素晴らしいくらいのものだ" (This is wonderfully the most...). You put this phrase after a verb. The verb is in its basic form. You can also put it after a noun. Or you can put it after a whole sentence. If it follows a sentence, that sentence often talks about a state. Or it talks about an ability. It might use "koto" or "no" to make the action a noun.

    Use this when you want to say something is the most you can do. It shows you are being humble. It means your help or effort is small.

    Contrasts with(2)

    〜だけまし

    This means a situation is not perfect. But it is still better than something worse. It is like saying 'at least...'.

    〜ないまでも

    This means "even if not X, at least Y." You use it when you cannot do something big (X) but you can do something small (Y).

    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.

    〜だ / 〜だった

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

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    Related concepts for this entry

    contrasts_with

    • 〜だけまし
    • 〜ないまでも

    prerequisite

    • 辞書形
    • 〜だ / 〜だった

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