Japanese word

くらい

Pronunciation

Romajikurai

Meaning

  • particleabout

Example

十人くらいいます。jū nin ku ra i i ma su

There are about ten people.

Illustration for くらい (about)

More examples

十時くらいに寝ます。jū ji ku ra i ni ne ma su

I go to bed at about ten.

このかばんは三千円くらいです。ko no ka ba n wa san zen en ku ra i de su

This bag costs about three thousand yen.

Core concept

Places an amount within an estimated range instead of stating it as an exact figure.

Common phrases

  • 二週間くらいni shū kan ku ra i

    about two weeks

  • 千円くらいsen en ku ra i

    about one thousand yen

Similar words

ほどhodo: Indicates an amount or degree that is not exact.
ばかりbakari: Indicates that the stated amount is only a rough estimate.

Definition in Japanese

数や量について、おおよその値を示す。sū ya ryō ni tsu i te ō yo so no atai o shime su

Word origin

くらい (kurai) is a native Japanese particle derived from 位 (kurai, "degree" or "level"), a noun that came to express the degree or approximate extent of something.

Usage tips

  • The form ぐらい (gurai) often replaces くらい (kurai) in speech, so beginners may hear two forms for the same approximate-amount meaning.

Word lists with this word