Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N3 · Intermediate 3
〜ほど・〜くらい・〜ぐらい~hodo / ~kurai / ~gurai
degree shown by an example
Use 「〜ほど／〜くらい」 to show how strong a feeling is, with a concrete reaction or an exaggerated image.
How it works
How nervous? The concrete reaction “hands shaking” shows the degree of nervousness.
“Even surprising myself” shows how happy I am. Here, the three expressions have similar meanings.
The first part gives a measure of degree; the second states the feeling. Together, they answer “How nervous or happy?”
The concrete example can also be an exaggerated image: “wanting to disappear” describes the degree of embarrassment.
The second sentence emphasizes being happier than you yourself expected; it does not compare who is happier.
Example sentences
- 初めてhajimete日本nihon語goでde発表happyouしたとき、shitatoki、手teがga震えるfurueruほどhodo緊張kinchou
In a conversation
Check yourself
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
When I gave a presentation in Japanese for the first time, I was so nervous my hands were shaking.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
初めて日本語で発表したとき、手が震える____緊張しました。
When I gave a speech in Japanese for the first time, I was so nervous my hands were shaking.
More grammar in this theme
- 〜ほど・〜くらい・〜ぐらいdegree shown by an example