Japanese word

さほど

Pronunciation

Romajisahodo

Meaning

  • adverbnot very

Example

その映画はさほど長くありません。so no ei ga wa sa ho do naga ku a ri ma se n

That movie is not very long.

Illustration for さほど (not very)

More examples

この店は週末でもさほど混んでいません。ko no mise wa shū matsu de mo sa ho do ko n de i ma se n

This shop is not very crowded even on weekends.

Core concept

Presents something as below a noticeable level rather than saying that it is completely absent.

Common phrases

  • さほど難しくないsa ho do muzuka shi ku na i

    not very difficult

Similar words

あまりamari: Shows a low degree or amount, usually with a negative expression.
それほどsorehodo: Indicates that something falls short of a degree known from the context.
そんなにsonnani: Shows that something does not reach the degree under discussion.
たいしてtaishite: Indicates that something is not especially large or important, often in a negative sentence.

Definition in Japanese

程度がそれほどではないことを表す。tei do ga so re ho do de wa na i ko to o arawa su

Word origin

The word さほど (sahodo) is formed from さ (sa, "so") and ほど (hodo, "degree or extent"), linking a demonstrative element with a measure of degree.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, さほど (sahodo)...ない (nai) often softens a negative judgment by saying that something is not especially large, difficult, expensive, or interesting.

Other meanings

  • not that muchadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word