Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 5: 13/20

(Amount) + は

At least, Sort of, Or so

は is pronounced "わ"

Structure

Number/Amount + Counter + （くらい(1)） + は
Noun + くらい(1) + は

(1) ぐらい

Details

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    Standard

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    一般

About Number/Amount + は

The は particle has two primary functions. The first is to mark the topic of a sentence, as learned very early in our Japanese language journey. However, the second common usage of は is to highlight contrast (making a comparison). When は is used after a number/counter, it regularly has this comparison meaning. This can be translated as 'or so', or 'at least'.
  • ディズニーランドには年(ねん)に5回(かい)は行(い)っている。
    I go to Disneyland at least 5 times a year.
  • 私(わたし)は毎日(まいにち)、テレビを5時間(じかん)は見(み)ている。
    Every day, I watch TV for 5 hours or so.
Before は, the counter is regularly followed by くらい (or ぐらい). This just softens the statement, and further highlights the 'or so' meaning.
  • 2キロくらいはあると思(おも)う。
    I think it is at least 2 kilograms.
  • 倉敷(くらしき)には1回(かい)ぐらいは行(い)った方(ほう)がいいよ。
    You should go to Kurashiki at least once.
Despite being translated as 'at least', the comparative meaning of は itself is what creates the nuance of this grammar structure. The thing before は is being highlighted as an amount, while also implying that there are other amounts. This implication of another amount makes は sound as if it could mean 'as opposed to (B)'. So in essence, this grammar structure sounds like 'As for (A), as opposed to (B)', where (B) is not usually mentioned.

Examples

--:--

    この食(た)べ物(もの)は少(すく)なくとも床(ゆか)に3秒(びょう)は落(お)ちていたから食(た)べられない。

    This food was on the floor for at least 3 seconds, so I can't eat it.

    付(つ)き合(あ)っているんだから手(て)ぐらいはつないだでしょうね？

    Since you are going out, you were at least holding hands, right?

    彼氏(かれし)は１日(にち)８回(かい)は電話(でんわ)をかける。

    My boyfriend calls at least 8 times a day.

    心配(しんぱい)な母親(ははおや)：「肉(にく)ぐらいは少(すこ)し食(た)べてよ。」

    Worried mother: 'Please eat some meat at least!'

    スティーブン・ホーキングに一回(いっかい)は会(あ)いたかったのに…

    (But) I wanted to meet Stephen Hawking at least once…

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      Number/Amount + は – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (8 in total)

      • okayfrog

        okayfrog

        I keep getting this mixed up with the lesson for も.

        When it comes to this number counter, when would I use は vs. when would I use も?

        EDIT: This is the other grammar point I am talking about.

      • Fuga

        Fuga

        Hey @okayfrog !

        The Main difference between these grammar point is that は has the nuance of ‘at least’ while も has the nuance of ‘as much as’ and has the nuance that the speaker is surprised.

        For example, the sentence, 彼は昨日4人前ぐらいは食べた (He ate at least four peoples worth of food last night) is just stating the fact that he ate 4 servings while, and in the sentence, 彼は昨日4人前も食べた (He ate as much as 4 peoples worth of food last night), you can see that the speaker is surprised by the fact that he ate as much as 4 peoples worth of food.

        I hope that this answers your questions!

      • okayfrog

        okayfrog

        I’ll try and keep that in mind, thank you.

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