(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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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.

Synonyms

は
As for... (Highlights sentence topic)
Not studied yet

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 (4 in total)

Pushindawood
About 2 years ago
@AdalwinAmillion Hey! は still essentially plays the role of “as for” here. When used with a number/amount, くらい・ぐらい, or 少なくとも or せめて, then the whole phrase becomes “at least.” Let’s take a look at the first example sentence. この食べ物は少なくとも床に3秒は落ちていたから食べられない。If we were to just say 床に3秒は落ちていた then you might translate the sentence as “As for 3 seconds, (the food) was on the floor.” It is only when we add 少なくとも does the nuance of “at least” arise. I hope this helps. Cheers!
Superpnut
About 1 year ago
So for this grammar point I’m a bit confused.
If a counter is present do you or do you not use くらい
I’m not really sure what putting it in ( ) is supposed to show. Does it mean it’s optional?
All the example sentences look like they don’t use くらい when there is a counter. But then it says : “Before は, the counter is regularly followed by くらい (or ぐらい). T”
Could someone please let me know because it looks like it’s optional to me but I’m really not certain either way
Fuga
About 1 year ago
Hey @Superpnut !

くらい can be used, or it can be omitted. Adding くらい/ぐらい adds stronger emphasis to the ‘or so’ meaning.

2キロはあると思う。‘I think this is at least 2 kilograms.’ (this must weigh at least 2 kilograms)
2キロくらいはあると思う。‘I think this is at least 2 kilograms or so.’ (this must weigh 2 kilograms or so)

In the first sentence, the speaker is a little more certain that the thing is close to 2 kilograms, but in the sentence the speaker is less confident and thinks that the thing is at least close to 2 kilograms. As you can see, the meaning of the sentence does not change too much, but there is a slight change in the nuance.

I hope that this helps!