Japanese word

おおよそ

Pronunciation

Romajiōyoso

Meaning

  • adverbabout

Example

おおよそ十人が来ます。ō yo so jū nin ga ki ma su

About ten people are coming.

Illustration for おおよそ (about)

More examples

この作業にはおおよそ三時間かかります。ko no sa gyō ni wa ō yo so san ji kan ka ka ri ma su

This task takes about three hours.

Core concept

Signals that a stated quantity or degree is a close estimate rather than an exact figure.

Common phrases

  • おおよそ二週間ō yo so ni shū kan

    about two weeks

  • おおよそ同じō yo so ona ji

    roughly the same

Similar words

だいたいdaitai: Indicates an approximate quantity, extent, or time in ordinary speech.
およそoyoso: Indicates an approximate quantity or extent in a concise or formal statement.
約yaku: Indicates an approximate number or amount and is usually placed before it.
ほぼhobo: Indicates that a quantity or degree is nearly equal to a stated value.

Definition in Japanese

数量や程度などが細かくは定まらないが、だいたいそのくらいであるさま。sū ryō ya tei do na do ga koma ka ku wa sada ma ra na i ga da i ta i so no ku ra i de a ru sa ma

Word origin

The native adverb おおよそ (ōyoso, "roughly") is traditionally written 大凡 (ōyoso), combining 大 (ō, "large") with 凡そ (oyoso, "roughly").

Usage tips

  • In careful speech, おおよそ十人 (ōyoso jūnin) gives an estimate in a more formal register than だいたい (daitai).

Opposites

Word lists with this word