Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 5: 2/20

Number + も

Emphasis, As ~ as, Not even

Structure Legend

Structure

Number + Counter +

Details

  • Register

    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

About Number + も

The adverbial particle is often used for labeling (A) as part of a category, when it would not usually be considered part of that group. In this way, it emphasizes that (A)'s inclusion is something that is surprising/unexpected in some way.
When is used after a specific number + counter, it shows that the number itself is surprising. This can be when the actual number is lower, or higher than what was expected. Due to this, can translate as 'as much as (A)', or 'not even (A)', and other similar phrases in this expression.
  • 12時間(じかん)仕事(しごと)から(つか)
    I worked as long as 12 hours, so I am tired.
  • その携帯(けいたい)20万円(まんえん)したの?!
    That cellphone cost you as much as 200,000 yen?!
  • (わたし)一回(いっかい)地下鉄(ちかてつ)()たことが()
    I have never taken the subway, not even once.
At first glance, this may seem different than 's translation as 'too' or 'also', but in those cases, is also just pointing out the something unexpected is part or whatever group was initially highlighted.
  • (わたし)()たい
    I want to go too.
The above sentence just shows that the (B) speaker is unexpectedly putting themselves in the group that the (A) speaker initially only considered themselves to be a part of.

Examples

  • 10万円(まんえん)(はら)わなくてはいけない

    I have to pay as much as 100,000 yen!

  • 10(かい)やったけど、できなかった

    I tried to do it as many as 10 times but couldn't do it!

  • アメリカまで15時間(じかん)かかりました

    It took as long as 15 hours to get to America!

  • 10時間(じかん)運転(うんてん)したけどあまり(つか)れていない

    I did as much as 10 hours of driving, but I am not really that tired.

  • 掃除(そうじ)してって何回(なんかい)()ったでしょう

    I told you to clean many times, right?

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    • Genki II 1st Edition

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    • みんなの日本語 II

      Page 108 [CH 42]

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    • [AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese

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    • [DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar

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Number + も – Grammar Discussion