Translation guide
This phrase is used to express 'to the greatest degree possible' or 'as much as one can'. In Japanese, it is commonly expressed using the pattern 'できるだけ (dekiru dake)' or 'なるべく (narubeku)', often combined with adjectives or verbs. The choice depends on formality and nuance.
Expressing that something should be done to the maximum degree or extent feasible.
This is the most common and versatile way to say 'as much as possible'. It can be used with verbs, adjectives, and nouns. It literally means 'as much as one can do'.
できるだけ早く来てください。
Please come as early as possible.
できるだけ多くの人に会いたい。
I want to meet as many people as possible.
Similar to できるだけ, but slightly more formal and often used in written or polite speech. It implies 'if possible' or 'as far as circumstances allow'.
なるべく静かにしてください。
Please be as quiet as possible.
なるべく早めにご連絡ください。
Please contact us as early as possible.
A more emphatic version of できるだけ, meaning 'to the utmost limit'. It is slightly more formal and often used in written language or serious requests.
できる限りの努力をします。
I will make every effort possible.
できる限り早く対応いたします。
We will respond as quickly as possible.
A colloquial contraction of なるべく, used in casual speech. It has a friendly, informal tone.
なるたけ早く来てね。
Come as early as you can, okay?
Expressing that something should have the maximum degree of a quality.
Place the adjective in its appropriate form after できるだけ. For i-adjectives, use the adverbial form (〜く). For na-adjectives, use に.
できるだけ安いものを探しています。
I'm looking for something as cheap as possible.
できるだけ静かに歩いてください。
Please walk as quietly as possible.
Same structure as できるだけ, but with a slightly more formal or considerate nuance.
なるべく早い返事をお待ちしております。
We await your reply as soon as possible.
Expressing the maximum quantity or number.
Use できるだけ多く before a verb or noun to mean 'as many/much as possible'. 多く is the adverbial form of 多い.
できるだけ多くの情報を集めてください。
Please gather as much information as possible.
できるだけ多く食べてください。
Please eat as much as possible.
A more formal alternative to できるだけ多く.
なるべく多くの方にご参加いただきたいです。
We would like as many people as possible to participate.
Expressing urgency or the earliest possible time.
The standard way to say 'as soon as possible'. 早く is the adverbial form of 早い (early/fast).
できるだけ早く返事をください。
Please reply as soon as possible.
A polite alternative, often used in business or formal requests.
なるべく早くご確認ください。
Please check as soon as possible.
A very formal and emphatic expression used in business or official contexts, meaning 'as urgently as possible'.
できる限り早急に対処いたします。
We will deal with it as urgently as possible.
できるだけ is more direct and implies doing something to the maximum of one's ability. なるべく is softer, often meaning 'if possible' or 'as circumstances permit'. In many situations they are interchangeable, but なるべく can sound more polite or less demanding.
できるだけ早く来てください。
Please come as early as you can (emphasizing effort).
なるべく早く来てください。
Please come as early as possible (if you can).
Do not translate 'as as possible' word-for-word into Japanese. Phrases like '可能な限り' (kanou na kagiri) exist but are overly formal and less common in everyday speech. Stick to できるだけ or なるべく for natural expression.