Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 7: 14/17

にも(ほど)があるThere is a limit to, You are too ..., How …!, How … one can be!

Structure

Verb + ほどある
[い]Adjective + + ほどある
[な]Adjective + + ほどある
Noun + + ほどある

Details

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    Standard

About にもほどがある

にも(ほど)がある is an expression that will often be used fairly critically in order to state that something is too much, based on the speaker's personal opinion. Common translations include 'how (A) can one be', 'there is a limit to (A)', or 'you are too (A)'.

Being that it is composed of the case-marking particle に, adverbial particle も, the noun (ほど) 'bounds', and がある 'to have', the more literal meaning of 'there are bounds even within (A)' also carries the critical nuance of the more standard translations.

This structure may follow almost any word type in their standard forms.

Caution

Despite being used negatively in the vast majority of situations, there are instances where にも(ほど)がある will be used positively with adjectives such as かわいい 'cute' or うまい 'delicious'. In sentences like this, the grammar structure is being used jokingly to express admiration or approval.

  • なんだこれは!(みせ)()せるほどの美味(おい)しさじゃん!うまいにも(ほど)があるだろ。
    What the heck is this!? This is so good you can open a restaurant! There is a limit to how good it can be!

Examples

--:--

    ん?(くま)がエイリアンを(おそ)ったって?!(うそ)をつくにもほどがある

    Huh? A bear attacked an alien? There is a limit to just how much one can lie.

      またギャンブルをしたのか…(かね)無駄遣(むだづか)いするにもほどがある

      You were gambling again? There is a limit to just how much you can pointlessly waste money.

        ここぞという(とき)(たよ)りにならないなんて、リーダー失格(しっかく)にもほどがある

        Something like not being reliable at just the right moment, there is a limit to just how much you can fail as a leader.

          毎月(まいつき)10万円(まんえん)もコスメに使(つか)うなんて、()いすぎにもほどがあるでしょう!

          Using more than 100,000 yen on cosmetics every month, there is a limit to just how much one can over-purchase.

            ()きそうになる料理(りょうり)(つく)れるとは…料理(りょうり)下手(へた)にもほどがあります

            Something like being able to make food that makes you feel like throwing up... There is a limit to just how bad one can be at cooking.

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