“〜gurai・kurai”: Approximation, Degree, Minimum (three uses) [JLPT N4]
Content by NTJ Kuma · Nihongo to Japan editorial team · Updated July 27, 2026
“San-jikan gurai” “Shinu gurai tsurai” “Semete kore gurai wa” — three uses in one
「3000円ぐらい」「泣きたいくらい」 — one word, three kinds of “degree”
「3000円ぐらい」 (about 3,000 yen), 「泣きたいくらいうれしい」 (so happy I could cry), 「メールくらいは返して」 (at least reply to a text) — 「ぐらい／くらい」 (interchangeable) uses a “benchmark” to estimate, with three uses: ① approximation (about), ② degree (to the point of ~), ③ minimum／belittling (at least ~／just ~). This guide sorts this everyday high-frequency word and separates it from 「ほど」.
The three uses
- ① Approximation “about”: 1時間ぐらい待った (waited about an hour).
- ② Degree “to the point of ~” (a concrete image of degree): 立てないくらい疲れた (so tired I can't stand).
- ③ Minimum／belittling “at least ~／just ~”: 挨拶くらいしなさい (at least say hello); このくらい簡単だ (this much is easy — belittling).
How to Connect
| Use | Attachment | Example |
|---|---|---|
| approximation | quantity ＋ ぐらい | 3000円ぐらい |
| degree | verb／adj plain form ＋ くらい | 泣きたいくらい |
| minimum／belittling | noun ＋ くらい | 挨拶くらい |
Examples in context
- この仕事はどのぐらい時間がかかりますか。(How long does this job take?) — approximation (asking degree)
- 疲れすぎて、動けないくらいだ。(So tired I can't move.) — degree
- せめてメールくらいは返してよ。(At least reply to a text.) — minimum
- 3000円ぐらいで買えます。(You can buy it for about 3,000 yen.) — approximation
- それくらい、自分でやりなさい。(That much, do it yourself.) — belittling
⚠️ Where learners slip up
① 「ぐらい／くらい」 are fully interchangeable. Same meaning and use, just pronunciation habit (ぐらい often after numbers, くらい often sentence-initial). Don't fret over it.
② Ask degree／amount with 「どのくらい／どれくらい」. 「どのくらいかかる？」 (how long／how much?). The set way to ask “degree, amount.”
③ 「くらい」 can belittle／mark a minimum. 「これくらいできるでしょ」 = you can do this much, right (belittling); 「せめて〜くらい」 = at least ~ (minimum). Mind the tone — a belittling くらい toward a senior is rude.
🔄 Compare with similar forms: ぐらい／ほど／ばかり
| Form | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜ぐらい／くらい | about／degree／minimum | 3000円ぐらい |
| 〜ほど | degree (the more~／to the point of, more written) | 泣くほど／〜ば〜ほど |
| 〜ばかり | about (quantity, formal)／nothing but | 1万円ばかり |
💡 An exam judgment tip
「ぐらい／くらい」 is one of the most frequent everyday words; grab the three uses: about (3000円ぐらい), to the point of (泣きたいくらい), at least／just (挨拶くらい). ぐらい and くらい are identical — don't agonize over which. Watch the third, “belittling／minimum,” tone — 「これくらいできるでしょ」 is offhand with friends but can be rude to a senior. To ask “how long／how much,” remember the all-purpose 「どのくらい」.
❓ Questions you might have
Q: Any difference between 「ぐらい」 and 「くらい」?
None — same meaning and use, interchangeable. Just pronunciation habit: 「ぐらい」 often after numbers/demonstratives (3000円ぐらい, これぐらい), 「くらい」 often sentence-initial or in formal speech. Either is correct.
Q: 「ぐらい」 vs 「ほど」?
For amounts, everyday, use ぐらい (1時間ぐらい); for “the more~, the more~” (〜ば〜ほど) or “to the point of (more written, stronger),” use ほど (死ぬほど疲れた = dead tired). Everyday approximation → ぐらい; emphasizing degree／writing → ほど.
🖊️ Practice Questions (5)
Q1. 「この仕事は___時間かかりますか。」(About how much time will it take?)
(A) どのぐらい (B) どんなぐらい (C) なんぐらい (D) いくつぐらい
Q2. 「疲れすぎて、動け___だ。」(So tired I can barely move)
(A) ないぐらい (B) るぐらい (C) たぐらい (D) ぐらいない
Q3. 「せめてメール___は返してください。」(At least)
(A) ぐらい (B) だけ (C) しか (D) ほど
Q4. 「3000円___で買えますよ。」(About 3000 yen)
(A) ぐらい (B) ほどに (C) くらいに (D) だけ
Q5. Which sentence expresses a 'dismissive tone: even something this trivial…'?
(B) こんな問題から、子供でも解ける。
(C) こんな問題しか、子供でも解ける。
(D) こんな問題まで、子供でも解ける。
Answer Explanations
1. (A) どのぐらい ── For questioning degree/quantity, use 「どのぐらい（どれぐらい）」, a fixed collocation.
2. (A) ないぐらい ── 「動けないぐらい疲れた」; verb ない-form + ぐらい expresses reaching a certain (negative) degree.
3. (A) ぐらい ── 「せめて〜ぐらいは」is a set expression meaning 'at least to the degree of ~.'
4. (A) ぐらい ── For approximate quantities, use ぐらい (or くらい): 3000円ぐらい.
5. (A) こんな問題ぐらい ── The dismissive 「〜ぐらい」expresses 'even something of this trivial degree.'