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Grammar JLPT Level N3 - Lesson 13

Structure of くらい ②:

Verb + くらい(1)
[い]Adjective + くらい(1)
[な]Adjective + + くらい(1)
Noun + くらい(1)

(1) ぐらい

Details about くらい ②:

Often, the noun くらい is used as an adverbial particle. This use of くらい (or ぐらい) expresses the limit of something, in a similar way to ほど. This means that it can be translated as 'about (A)', 'so (A) that (B)', or '(A) to the extent of (B)'. Let's take a look at a few examples.
  • 今日(きょう)もう一生(いっしょう)(はし)くないくらい(はし)った。
    Today, I ran so much that I don't want to run again in my whole life.
  • わたしも(さけ)びたいくらい(こわ)かった。
    I was so scared that I wanted to scream too.
  • 5連休(れんきゅう)必要(ひつよう)ぐらい(つか)ています
    I am tired to the extent that it is necessary for me to have 5 days off.
  • (おれ)もキヨミさんくらいピアノ()けるようになりたい
    I want to be able to play the piano to about the level of Kiyomi-san.
Despite translating in the above ways, we can see that this use of くらい is similar to the standard kanji use (くらい), which literally means a 'rank', or 'grade' of something. What this means is that (A) will usually be considered to be at the 'grade' of something that was required in order to cause/allow (B).
くらい ②

Usage Notes for くらい ②:

Synonyms for くらい ②:

くらい ①
About, Approximately
まで
Even, To even, To the extent of
ほど
The more, About, To the extent that, So much… that

Example of くらい ②

()しかしたくないくらい(つか)れている。

I am so tired that I don't want to do anything but sleep.

プロ選手(せんしゅ)ぐらい上手(じょうず)になりたい。

I want to be skilled to the extent that pro athletes are.

(すこ)日本語(にほんご)(はな)せるぐらい勉強(べんきょう)したことがある。

I have studied to the extent that I can speak a little Japanese.

(あに)(ひさ)()りにアメリカから(かえ)った。(あに)だとわからないくらい()わってしまった。

My brother returned home for the first time in a long time from America. He changed, to the extent that I didn't recognize that it was him.

みんなを()かすくらいスパイシーなチリのサラダ(つく)った。

I made a chili salad so spicy that it made everyone cry.

Grammar same lesson

訳(わけ)だ

For that reason, No wonder, As you'd expect, Naturally, Thus, This is why
See detailsreport

訳(わけ)ではない

It doesn't mean that, It is not the case, It's not like
See detailsreport

関係(かんけい)がある

(Not) involved with, (Not) concerned with, (No) connection with, (No) relationship with, (Not) related to
See detailsreport

余(あま)りに

So much...that, (Way) too...
See detailsreport

ところだった ①

Almost, Nearly, About to, On the verge of
See detailsreport
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