くらい (kurai)

Meaning & usage

くらい and its variant ぐらい mean about or around and mark an amount, time, distance, or degree as an estimate rather than an exact figure. They attach after a numeral plus counter or other quantity phrase, as in 5分くらい or 2マイルぐらい, and after question words like どのくらい or どれくらい to ask how long, how much, or how far in an approximate sense. The two forms have the same meaning, with ぐらい more common in conversation.

Example sentences 7

1. オーブンには、どのくらい入いれておけばいいの？

   How long should we leave it in the oven?

2. そこまでバスでどのくらいかかりますか。

   How long does it take to go there by bus?

3. この本を読むのに、どれぐらいかかった？

   How long did it take for you to read this book?

4. ２マイルぐらいあります。

   It's about two miles.

5. 一千万円くらいかな？

   Is it about ten million yen?

6. ここからそこまで行くのにどれくらいかかりますか。

   How long does it take to get there from here?

7. 「バスはあとどのくらいで来ますか」「５分で来ます」

   "How soon will the bus come?" "In five minutes."