〜くらい / 〜ぐらい
kurai / gurai
By Nihongo PathUpdated
This form is also taught at JLPT N4 and JLPT N3, where it carries a different sense or register.
Meaning
to the extent that; so ... that; at least
〜くらい / 〜ぐらい shows degree by comparison: "so… that…, to the extent that…" (so tired I couldn't stand). With a noun it often belittles: "something as small as…, at least…" (at least clean your own room).
Both registers. After a clause it is interchangeable with ほど in the degree use, but くらい suggests a lighter or more approximate degree and is more colloquial. Set frames: 〜くらい〜はない ("nothing is as… as"), 〜くらいなら (see lesson 40).
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
V普通形 + くらい / Aい + くらい / Aな + な + くらい / N + くらい
Visual diagram
| Aspect | くらい | ほど |
|---|---|---|
| Degree (so… that) | 立っていられないくらい疲れた | 立っていられないほど疲れた |
| Belittling (at least) | 自分の部屋くらい片付けなさい | × (not used) |
| Negative comparison | 彼くらい優しい人はいない | 彼ほど優しい人はいない |
Natural examples
立っていられないくらい疲れた。
たっていられないくらいつかれた。
I was so tired I could barely stand.
Degree: so tired that…
自分の部屋くらい自分で片付けなさい。
じぶんのへやくらいじぶんでかたづけなさい。
At least clean your own room yourself.
Belittling: at least your own room.
泣きたいくらい嬉しかった。
なきたいくらいうれしかった。
I was so happy I could have cried.
Degree with an emotion: so happy I could cry.
彼女くらい歌が上手な人は、なかなかいない。
かのじょくらいうたがじょうずなひとは、なかなかいない。
There are few people who sing as well as she does.
〜くらい〜はいない: superlative by comparison.
挨拶ぐらいちゃんとしなさい。
あいさつぐらいちゃんとしなさい。
At least greet people properly.
Belittling: something as basic as a greeting.
Similar grammar and the difference
〜ほど
Same degree use, slightly more formal and often suggesting a higher degree; not used for the belittling "at least".
"Rather than (do something bad)": a separate pattern built on くらい. Compare side by side
〜だけ
Plain "only"; くらい adds "as trivial as".
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 自分の部屋ほど自分で片付けなさい。
- ✓
- 自分の部屋くらい自分で片付けなさい。
- Why
- The belittling "at least" use takes くらい, not ほど.
- ✗
- 泣きたいくらいに嬉しかった。（× in most tests）
- ✓
- 泣きたいくらい嬉しかった。
- Why
- Before an adjective, くらい stands alone; くらいに is used mainly before verbs.
- ✗
- 彼はくらい優しい人はいない。
- ✓
- 彼くらい優しい人はいない。
- Why
- くらい attaches directly to the noun; no は before it.
Both くらい and ぐらい are correct after any word; ぐらい is a little more colloquial. 〜くらいのことで ("over something so trivial as") is a common complaint frame. In numbers, くらい means "approximately" (三十分くらい).
JLPT N2 tips
On the exam
- A degree clause (立っていられない・死にたい) + blank + adjective → くらい (or ほど).
- If the sentence means "at least" with a trivial noun and an imperative, only くらい works; ほど is the distractor.
- Distractors also include ばかり, だけ, まで. まで means "even" (an extreme), the opposite direction from "as trivial as".
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜くらい / 〜ぐらい mean?
to the extent that; so ... that; at least. 〜くらい / 〜ぐらい shows degree by comparison: "so… that…, to the extent that…" (so tired I couldn't stand). With a noun it often belittles: "something as small as…, at least…" (at least clean your own room).
How do you form 〜くらい / 〜ぐらい?
V普通形 + くらい / Aい + くらい / Aな + な + くらい / N + くらい. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜くらい / 〜ぐらい used?
Both registers. After a clause it is interchangeable with ほど in the degree use, but くらい suggests a lighter or more approximate degree and is more colloquial. Set frames: 〜くらい〜はない ("nothing is as… as"), 〜くらいなら (see lesson 40).
What is the difference between 〜くらい / 〜ぐらい and 〜ほど?
Same degree use, slightly more formal and often suggesting a higher degree; not used for the belittling "at least".
What is the difference between 〜くらい / 〜ぐらい and 〜くらいなら?
"Rather than (do something bad)": a separate pattern built on くらい.
What is a common mistake with 〜くらい / 〜ぐらい?
Wrong: 自分の部屋ほど自分で片付けなさい。 Right: 自分の部屋くらい自分で片付けなさい。 The belittling "at least" use takes くらい, not ほど.
Quick check
自分の名前（ ）漢字で書けるようにしなさい。