くらい・
くらい and ぐらい follow a number or other measure to show that it is approximate rather than exact.
Put it after the complete measure
First state the whole quantity, including its counter or unit, and then add くらい or ぐらい. The resulting phrase means that the number is a reasonable estimate, not an exact figure.
Common kinds of measure
Asking for an approximate measure
東京までどのくらいかかりますか。
About how long does it take to get to Tokyo?
Analyze新幹線で二時間半ぐらいです。
It is about two and a half hours by bullet train.
Analyzeどのくらい does not itself specify time. The verb and situation tell you whether the question concerns time, distance, cost, quantity, or another measure.
A quantity is not the same as a degree
After a number or measure, the target means “about.” After a whole clause, however, the same-looking form may describe how extreme something is. Do not automatically translate every instance as an approximate quantity.
立っていられないくらい疲れました。
I was so tired that I could not remain standing.
AnalyzeHere the clause before the target describes the degree of tiredness; there is no approximate number.
More examples
会議は一時間くらいで終わりました。
The meeting ended in about an hour.
Analyze教室には学生が二十人ぐらいいます。
There are about twenty students in the classroom.
Analyzeホテルまでタクシーで十五分くらいです。
It is about fifteen minutes to the hotel by taxi.
Analyzeあの子は五歳ぐらいです。
That child is about five years old.
Analyze父は毎日七時間くらい寝ます。
My father sleeps about seven hours every day.
Analyze一週間に三回ぐらい走ります。
I run about three times a week.
Analyzeあの木は十メートルくらいあります。
That tree is about ten meters tall.
Analyze