“aru imi de wa・aru teido”: In a Sense / To Some Extent [JLPT N1]

Content by NTJ Kuma · Nihongo to Japan editorial team · Updated July 27, 2026

「ある意味で正しい」vs「ある程度できた」 — true from an angle vs true to a degree.

「ある意味、彼は正しい」 — don't overstate; leave a little room

To concede part while not overstating, 「ある意味、彼の言うことも一理ある」 (in a sense, what he says has a point too) — 「ある意味（では）・ある程度」 = in a sense／to some extent, both partial-concession, limiting expressions: not a full endorsement, but not a denial either, leaving room for “not all, not entirely.” This guide covers the emphasis difference between the two (one about ‘from what angle,' one about ‘to what degree') and separates them from 「多少.」

Core: don't overstate — concede only a part, one angle

This set is all “partial concession, not overstating,” but with different emphases:

① ある意味（で／では）= in a sense, from a certain angle:

• それはある意味、正しい選択だった (that was, in a sense, the right choice).
• 彼はある意味、天才だ (he's, in a sense, a genius).

② ある程度 = to some extent, to a certain degree (with a limit):

• 彼の気持ちは、ある程度理解できる (I can understand his feelings to some extent).
• ある程度のリスクは、避けられない (a certain degree of risk is unavoidable).

Feel: both leave room for “not all, not entirely.” The difference: 「ある意味」 = looked at from another angle (some judgment holds) — about “from which sense／angle” (the angle level); 「ある程度」 = up to a certain degree — about “to what degree, how much” (the degree／quantity level). In English: ある意味 = “in a sense, in one respect”; ある程度 = “to some extent, to a certain degree.”

How it attaches

Examples in use

• 失敗も、ある意味では貴重な経験だ。(Failure, in a sense, is also a valuable experience.)
• この仕事は、ある程度の経験がないと難しい。(This job is hard without a certain degree of experience.)
• 彼の反応は、ある意味予想通りだった。(His reaction was, in a sense, as expected.)
• 準備はある程度できているが、まだ不安だ。(The prep is done to some extent, but I'm still anxious.)
• ある意味、これは必然の結果とも言える。(In a sense, this can be called an inevitable result too.)

⚠️ Common mistakes to avoid

① Both are ‘partial concession, not overstating,' but with different emphases. This set's common ground is “not overstating” — leaving room for “not all, not entirely,” to concede a part tactfully. But the two differ in emphasis — don't mix them: 「ある意味（で）」 = from a certain angle／sense (the angle level) — it's “looked at from another angle, (some judgment) holds,” stressing “from which sense, which facet”: ある意味、彼は正しい (from another angle, he's right — not fully right, but right in some sense). 「ある程度」 = up to a certain degree (the degree／quantity level) — it's “up to a certain degree, a certain amount, but with a limit,” stressing “to what degree, how much”: ある程度は理解できる (I can understand to some extent — not fully, but a part). Test: to say “from a certain angle／sense (it's ～)” → ある意味; to say “up to a certain degree (～)” → ある程度. One is about “which angle,” one about “what degree.”

② 「ある意味」 takes a judgment, 「ある程度」 takes a degree／quantity. Get the attachment right. 「ある意味（で／では）」 is followed by a judgment／evaluation (正しい・天才だ・必然だ): ある意味、成功だ. 「ある程度」 is followed by a verb, adjective, or “の ＋ noun” (for degree／quantity): ある程度分かる, ある程度満足している, ある程度の覚悟. Mnemonic: ある意味 ＋ judgment (holds from an angle)／ある程度 ＋ degree・quantity.

③ The degree gap with 「多少.」 「ある程度」 and 「多少」 both express “a part, not fully,” but with a different degree feel. 「ある程度」 = to some/a certain degree — “reaching a considerable part, a certain amount” (more than 「多少」): ある程度は準備した (prepared to a considerable degree). 「多少」 = somewhat, a little — “a bit, a little” (a small degree), more colloquial: 多少は分かる (I understand somewhat). Difference: 「ある程度」 is “a considerable part, a certain degree”; 「多少」 is “a little, somewhat” (less). Test: to say “to a certain degree, a considerable part” → ある程度; to say “a little, somewhat” → 多少. (Also 「ある意味」 leans “angle／sense,” a different level from these two “degree” expressions — don't mix.)

🔄 Nuance & comparison: ある意味／ある程度／多少／いわば

💡 Quick takeaway

「ある意味（では）・ある程度」 = in a sense／to some extent (a partial-concession limiter) — three points: ① both are “not overstating, conceding a part” — leaving room for “not all／not entirely”; ② different emphases — 「ある意味」 = from a certain angle／sense (the angle level, followed by a judgment), 「ある程度」 = up to a certain degree (the degree／quantity level); ③ the degree gap with 「多少 (a little)」 — ある程度 is “a considerable part,” 多少 is “somewhat.” These two are handy cushioning, tactful expressions — when you don't want to overstate, 「ある意味〜」「ある程度〜」 leave room, sounding objective and measured. To concede “in one respect it's ～” use ある意味; to say “to a certain degree ～” use ある程度 — handle both well, and your remarks sound much more mature.

❓ Common questions

Q: Do 「ある意味、正しい」 and 「ある程度、正しい」 mean the same?

No, entirely different emphases — one about “angle,” one about “degree.” 「ある意味、正しい」 = right from a certain angle／sense: it stresses “looked at from another angle, a certain sense, (this) holds” — not “right by X percent,” but “from a certain facet, it's right”: 彼の判断は、ある意味正しい (his judgment is right in a sense — perhaps right by outcome, or from a certain value system). It answers “in which sense is it right.” 「ある程度、正しい」 = right to some degree (right in part): it stresses “how much of it is right” — “partly correct, right in part, but not fully”: 彼の主張は、ある程度正しい (his claim is right to some extent — right in part, not fully). It answers “to what degree is it right.” Difference: 「ある意味」 is “from a certain angle／sense (it's right)” (rephrasing the angle); 「ある程度」 is “right in part／to a degree (it's right)” (about degree). Test: to say “right looked at from another angle” (a certain sense) → ある意味; to say “right in part, not fully” (about degree) → ある程度. E.g. 「この方法は、ある意味革命的だ (this method is revolutionary in a sense — innovative from a certain angle)」 uses ある意味; 「この方法で、ある程度改善した (with this method, it improved to some extent — improved in part)」 uses ある程度. One is “which angle,” one is “how much degree” — don't mix.

Q: Does 「ある意味」 always need a 「で」 after it?

No — 「ある意味,」 「ある意味で,」 and 「ある意味では」 are all fine, same meaning, just with a slight feel difference. ① 「ある意味」 (no で): the tersest, colloquial, placed directly at the sentence head or after the subject: ある意味、彼は正しい (in a sense, he's right), これはある意味必然だ. In conversation, plainly saying 「ある意味」 is natural and common. ② 「ある意味で」 (with で): adds the particle 「で」 (the で of “in the sense of ～”), a touch more complete, formal: ある意味で、これは成功と言える (in a sense, this can be called a success). ③ 「ある意味では」 (with では): adds 「は,」 a slightly contrastive, emphatic tone (“at least in a certain sense (though maybe not in others)”): ある意味では正しいが、別の見方もある (in a sense it's right, but there are other views). The three mean the same (all “in a sense”), differing only in completeness and tone: 「ある意味」 is the most colloquial and terse, 「ある意味で」 more complete, 「ある意味では」 carries contrast. Test: casual speech → 「ある意味」; a touch more formal → 「ある意味で」; wanting the “at least in this sense (others maybe not)” contrast → 「ある意味では.」 In practice the three are often interchangeable — don't overthink it; 「ある意味」 alone is quite natural.

🖊️ Practice Questions (5)

Q1. 「___、失敗も成功の一部だ。」(In a certain sense)

(A) ある意味で　(B) ある程度　(C) いかにも　(D) もっとも

Q2. 「___の準備はできている。」(A certain degree of preparation)

(A) ある程度　(B) ある意味　(C) あるいは　(D) あえて

Q3. 「ある意味で正しい」の意味は?

(A) It's correct in a certain sense

(B) Completely wrong

(C) Absolutely correct

(D) Unclear whether right or wrong

Q4. 「ある程度」が表すのは?

(A) a certain degree / to some extent (quantity, scope)

(B) A viewpoint

(C) Temporal sequence

(D) Contrast/concession

Q5. 用法が自然なのは?

(A) ある程度まで理解できた。　(B) ある程度で正しい(for a viewpoint, use ある意味)。

(C) ある意味の経験(for quantity, use ある程度)。　(D) ある意味だ高い。

Answer Explanations

1. (A) ある意味で ── In a certain sense.

2. (A) ある程度 ── A certain degree of preparation.

3. (A) ── It's correct in a certain sense.

4. (A) ── A certain degree / to some extent.

5. (A) ── 「ある程度まで理解できた」 is correct.