〜ほど
hodo
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
(1) "to the extent of ~", "so ~ that ~"; (2) approximate quantity (more formal than くらい); (3) 〜ほど〜はない = "nothing is as ~ as ~".
ほど measures degree by comparison. In the negative, Aは Bほど〜ない means A is less ~ than B, and 〜ほど〜はない makes a superlative.
Sense (2) is a little more formal/written than くらい; sense (3) is a common way to say "the best".
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
V-dict / V-ない + ほどい-adj + ほど; な-adj + な + ほどN / quantity + ほどN + ほど + N + はない (superlative)
Visual diagram
| Aspect | ほど | くらい |
|---|---|---|
| high degree | 死ぬほど疲れた (OK) | 死ぬくらい疲れた (OK) |
| at least / as small as | x | 挨拶くらいしなさい (OK) |
| approximate amount | 三日ほど (formal) | 三日くらい (casual) |
| nothing as… as | 母の料理ほどおいしいものはない | possible, less common |
Natural examples
一週間ほど休みを取りたい。
いっしゅうかんほどやすみをとりたい。
I'd like to take about a week off.
今日は死ぬほど疲れた。
きょうはしぬほどつかれた。
I'm dead tired today.
涙が出るほど嬉しかった。
なみだがでるほどうれしかった。
I was so happy I could have cried.
今日は昨日ほど寒くない。
きょうはきのうほどさむくない。
Today isn't as cold as yesterday.
母の料理ほどおいしいものはない。
ははのりょうりほどおいしいものはない。
Nothing tastes as good as my mother's cooking.
Similar grammar and the difference
Interchangeable for high degree; only くらい has the minimal "at least" meaning. Compare side by side
Comparison: A is not as… as B. Compare side by side
Proportional: the more… the more… Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 自分の部屋ほど自分で掃除しなさい。
- ✓
- 自分の部屋くらい自分で掃除しなさい。
- Why
- ほど cannot express "at least / something so small".
- ✗
- 母の料理ほどおいしいものがある。
- ✓
- 母の料理ほどおいしいものはない。
- Why
- The superlative pattern must end in ない.
- ✗
- 静かほど
- ✓
- 静かなほど
- Why
- な-adjectives keep な before ほど.
ほど can express a high degree (死ぬほど) but not a minimal degree (use くらい for "at least"). See 〜ば〜ほど, 〜ほど〜ない. Common set phrases: 涙が出るほど, 信じられないほど, 痛いほど (わかる).
JLPT N3 tips
On the exam
- For the superlative, the sentence ends with はない / はいない; the blank after the compared noun is ほど.
- For "at least", the blank is くらい, never ほど.
- Approximate quantity in polite business language prefers ほど; casual prefers くらい.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜ほど mean?
(1) "to the extent of ~", "so ~ that ~"; (2) approximate quantity (more formal than くらい); (3) 〜ほど〜はない = "nothing is as ~ as ~". ほど measures degree by comparison. In the negative, Aは Bほど〜ない means A is less ~ than B, and 〜ほど〜はない makes a superlative.
How do you form 〜ほど?
V-dict / V-ない + ほど / い-adj + ほど; な-adj + な + ほど / N / quantity + ほど / N + ほど + N + はない (superlative). V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜ほど used?
Sense (2) is a little more formal/written than くらい; sense (3) is a common way to say "the best".
What is the difference between 〜ほど and 〜くらい?
Interchangeable for high degree; only くらい has the minimal "at least" meaning.
What is the difference between 〜ほど and 〜ほど〜ない?
Comparison: A is not as… as B.
What is a common mistake with 〜ほど?
Wrong: 自分の部屋ほど自分で掃除しなさい。 Right: 自分の部屋くらい自分で掃除しなさい。 ほど cannot express "at least / something so small".
Quick check
今日は、動けない（ ）疲れた。