Japanese grammar
What does ～は～くらいです mean? Japanese grammar N3
～は～くらいです means the degree is only about ~; to the extent of ~.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N3 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N は N／clause + くらいだ |
| Romaji | ha kuraidesu |
| Meaning | the degree is only about ~; to the extent of ~ |
Forming it
| Connection | N は N／clause + くらいだ |
|---|
How to use it
Two meanings: (a) limits the scope to "only…"; (b) states a DEGREE by using a situation as a benchmark.
- Meaning (a): 「AはBくらいです」 = within A, only B applies — 「難しいのは漢字くらいです」 (the only hard part is kanji).
- Meaning (b): 「～くらい＋a state」 states a DEGREE through a concrete consequence — 「歩けないくらい足が痛い」 (hurts so much I can't walk).
- Meaning (b) is a very natural way to express degree in Japanese: instead of saying "very painful," Japanese states the consequence.
Examples
日本語で難しいのは漢字くらいです。
For me, about the only difficult part of Japanese is kanji.
歩けないくらい足が痛いです。
My leg hurts so much that I cannot walk.
Keep in mind
- Meaning (b) connects directly, without adding 「に」.
- 「ぐらい」 is an alternate spelling with the same meaning.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong歩けないくらいに足が痛いです。
Correct歩けないくらい足が痛いです。
くらい indicating degree usually connects directly to the following clause; に is not needed.
Exam tips
- 「くらい」 = (a) only… / (b) to the extent that… (expresses degree through a consequence).