くらい (kurai)

Meaning & usage

くらい expresses approximation like about or around, and also degree or extent like to the point that or as much as. It follows numbers with counters as in 2万語くらい, nouns and demonstratives as in これくらい, interrogatives as in どれくらい, and the plain form of verbs and adjectives. It often appears in comparisons with 同じ to mean equally, and ぐらい is an interchangeable variant that is common after certain sounds.

Example sentences 6

1. この本ほんはあの本ほんと同おなじくらいおもしろい。

   This book is as interesting as that book.

2. この辞書はせいぜい２万語くらいしかのっていない。

   This dictionary contains no more than 20,000 words.

3. 彼らは水がどれぐらいきれいか調べた。

   They checked how pure the water was.

4. 一日にどれぐらい水を飲むの？

   How much water do you drink a day?

5. どんな子供だってそのくらい答えられる。

   Any child can answer that.

6. 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.