Japanese Conversation · Level 21
90 words
Japanese word
かなり
Pronunciation
Romajikanari
Meaning
- adverbquite
Example
かなり暑いです。ka na ri atsu i de su
It is quite hot.
More examples
今日はかなり寒いです。kyō wa ka na ri samu i de su
It is quite cold today.
駅から学校まではかなり遠いです。eki ka ra gak kō ma de wa ka na ri tō i de su
The school is quite far from the station.
Core concept
Marks a clearly substantial degree without necessarily reaching an extreme or complete state.
Common phrases
かなり難しいka na ri muzuka shi i
quite difficult
かなり遠いka na ri tō i
quite far
Similar words
とてもtotemo: Shows a high degree of a quality or condition.
だいぶdaibu: Shows that a quality or condition has changed or differs to a considerable degree.
ずいぶんzuibun: Shows a notably high degree and often conveys the speaker's surprise.
Definition in Japanese
物事の度合いが相当に大きいことを表す語。mono goto no do a i ga sō tō ni ō ki i ko to o arawa su go
Word origin
The exact origin of the native adverb かなり (kanari) is uncertain; it has traditionally been written 可成り (kanari) or 可也 (kanari).
Usage tips
- English quite can mean either a moderate degree or completeness, but かなり (kanari) normally marks a clearly high degree without meaning completely.
Other meanings
- considerablyadverb
- fairlyadverb
Opposites
- 少しsukoshislightlyadverb