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)) +
Noun + くらい(1) +

(1) ぐらい
Details
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使用域 一般
Information
The 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 is to highlight contrast (making a comparison). When is used after a number/counter, it regularly has this comparison meaning. This can be translated as ‘or so’, or ‘at least’.
  • ディズニーランド年(ねん)5回(かい)行(い)っている
    I go to Disneyland at least 5 times a year.
  • 私(わたし)毎日(まいにち)、テレビ5時間(じかん)見(み)ている
    Every day, I watch TV for 5 hours or so.
Before , 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)1回(かい)ぐらい行(い)った方(ほう)がいい
    You should go to Kurashiki at least once.
Despite being translated as ‘at least’, the comparative meaning of itself is what creates the nuance of this grammar structure. The thing before is being highlighted as an amount, while also implying that there are other amounts. This implication of another amount makes 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.
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この食(た)べ物(もの)少(すく)なくとも床(ゆか)3秒(びょう)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)ぐらいつないだでしょう
Since you are going out, you were at least holding hands, right?
彼氏(かれし)1日(にち)8回(かい)電話(でんわ)かける
My boyfriend calls at least 8 times a day.
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Tobira
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[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
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