BackGrammar JLPT Level N3 - Lesson 5
Structure of 程(ほど):
Verb + ほど
［い］Adjective + ほど
［な］Adjective + な + ほど
Noun + ほど
Details about 程(ほど):
ほど, coming from the kanji 程 'an extent', is used for describing rough estimates about the 'amount' of something. However, unlike expressions such as くらい (which focuses more on the speaker's uncertainty about the exact number), ほど puts emphasis on the upper (or lower) limit of something as having been 'reached'. Due to this, it is usually translated as 'so much that (A)', or 'to the extent that (A)'.
ほど can be added on to the end of the attributive form of any word. The attributive form being the form that is able to be partnered directly with nouns.
ほど can be added on to the end of the attributive form of any word. The attributive form being the form that is able to be partnered directly with nouns.
- 死ぬほど練習したけれど、試合に出られなかった。I practiced myself to death, but I was not able to enter the tournament.
- その気持ちは痛いほど分かるけど、だからってそういう事言ってもいいと言う訳では無いよ。I understand how you feel to the point that it hurts, but that doesn't mean that you can say stuff like that.
- それは嫌なほど聞かされたから、分かってる。I have been told that so much that I don't want to hear it anymore, I get it.
- あと10分ほどで着きます。I will be there in about 10 minutes.
程(ほど)
Usage Notes for 程(ほど):
Although くらい may be used to describe something that is 'around' a certain extent (regardless of whether it is above or below that extent), 程 refers specifically to the 'limit' of something, and therefore cannot be used to describe something that exceeds the stated limit. Due to this, it is regularly used to express some sort of exaggerated limit of (A), when the real extent is far below that.
- 今日は二度と走りたくないほど走った。Today, I ran so much that I never want to run again.
Synonyms for 程(ほど):
くらい ①
About, Approximately
まで
Even, To even, To the extent of
ば〜ほど
The more…the more
ほど～ない
Is not as…as, Isn't... like..., Not to the extent of...
くらい ②
To the extent that, So…that, About the only thing that...
は～くらいです
About the only, To the extent that
Example of 程(ほど)
ピンが落ちた音が聞こえるほど、静かだった。
It was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
二度と食べたくないほど、ピザを食べた。
I ate pizza to the extent that I don't ever want to eat it again.
わがままと言うほど甘やかしている。
I am spoiling her/him to the extent that people would say she/he's selfish.
今回は一週間ほど旅行するつもりだ。
This time, I plan to go on a trip for about one week.
あの二人は他人なのに、驚くほどよく似ている。
Those two are complete strangers, but they look surprisingly similar. (so much so)
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