くらい (kurai)

Meaning & usage

くらい expresses degree, meaning so much that a result follows or at least that much. It follows a plain form verb or adjective, or a noun directly with no の in between, as in 動けないくらいだ and 君ぐらいだ. When the whole phrase modifies another noun, の comes after くらい, as in これぐらいの暑さ. It is common in conversation to soften a minimum amount, as in ちょっとぐらい待つ.

Example sentences 4

1. とても疲つかれてしまって、動うごけないくらいだ。

   I'm so tired that I can barely move.

2. これぐらいの暑さなら、エアコンなしでも生きていける。

   I can still survive in this temperature without air conditioning.

3. ちょっとぐらい待つのは構わないよ。

   I don't mind waiting for a while.

4. 部屋は煙でいっぱいで、ほとんど息ができないくらいだった。

   The room was so full of smoke that I could hardly breathe.