くらい・ぐらい
🃏 Flashcard
くらい・ぐらい
kurai / gurai
Tap to reveal usage
approximately; about; to the extent
N3
Tap to test your recall · +10 XP
📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N3
Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast
Reading
kurai / gurai
Post ID
50865
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
approximately; about; to the extent
📖 How to use it
Indicates an approximate amount or degree, often with a sense of 'about' or 'to the extent that'.
Attaches to
Attaches to nouns directly, or to the plain form of verbs/adjectives (dictionary, past, or ない-form). For amounts, it follows the number+counter. When attached to a noun, ぐらい is common after certain words, but くらい is also acceptable; the choice is often based on euphony.
くらい/ぐらい has two main uses. First, it marks an approximate quantity or extent, like 'about' or 'approximately'. For example, 十分くらい means 'about ten minutes'. Second, it expresses a degree or extent, often in comparison, meaning 'to the extent that' or 'as much as'. For instance, 死ぬくらい疲れた means 'so tired I could die'. In this use, it often follows the plain form of verbs or adjectives.
会場には100人くらい来た。
Kaijō ni wa hyaku-nin kurai kita.
About 100 people came to the venue.
この本は読めるくらいの日本語力がある。
Kono hon wa yomeru kurai no nihongo-ryoku ga aru.
I have enough Japanese ability to read this book.
駅まで歩いて10分ぐらいです。
Eki made aruite juppun gurai desu.
It's about a 10-minute walk to the station.
Not ほど
ほど can also mean 'degree/extent' and is often used in formal or written Japanese. くらい is more colloquial and can sound less extreme. For example, 死ぬほど疲れた sounds a bit exaggerated, while 死ぬくらい疲れた is more casual and natural in conversation. Also, in the sense of 'approximately', くらい is common, but ほど is rarely used for exact approximations.
Register
Neutral to casual; commonly used in both speaking and writing, but in formal writing, ほど or くらい may be preferred depending on context.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
くらい・ぐらい
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat くらい・ぐらい three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using くらい・ぐらい. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
🔗 More JLPT N3 Patterns
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern くらい・ぐらい mean?
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Approximately; about; to the extent
What JLPT level is くらい・ぐらい?
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Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use くらい・ぐらい in a sentence?
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Attach くらい・ぐらい (kurai / gurai) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is くらい・ぐらい formal or casual Japanese?
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くらい・ぐらい is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.
How can I remember くらい・ぐらい long-term?
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Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.