Translation guide
The English word 'some' has several distinct uses: indicating an unspecified amount or number, referring to certain people or things, expressing a considerable amount, and more. This guide breaks down these meanings and provides natural Japanese equivalents.
To express an indefinite quantity or number, often in positive statements.
Used for an indefinite number of countable items. It can be used as a noun or adverb.
いくつか質問があります。
I have some questions.
Used for an indefinite amount of uncountable things, like money, time, or liquid.
いくらかお金が必要です。
I need some money.
Means 'a little' or 'a few'. Often used when the amount is small.
Means 'to some extent' or 'a certain amount'. More formal and abstract.
To refer to a subset of a group, meaning 'certain' or 'particular'.
Used before a noun to mean 'some (of the)'. Implies 'not all'.
一部の人は反対しています。
Some people are against it.
To emphasize that the amount or degree is fairly large or significant.
Means 'considerable' or 'quite a lot of'. Used before nouns.
かなりの時間がかかった。
It took some time (a considerable amount).
Similar to かなりの, meaning 'considerable' or 'substantial'. Slightly more formal.
To indicate an approximate number, like 'about' or 'around'.
Placed before a number to mean 'about' or 'approximately'.
To refer to an unknown or unspecified person or thing, often with a sense of vagueness.
Means 'something'. Used when the thing is unknown or unspecified.
In many cases, Japanese does not require an explicit word for 'some'. For example, 'I bought apples' can imply 'some apples' without adding いくつか. Only use these expressions when you need to emphasize the indefinite quantity or when it would be ambiguous otherwise.
Use いくつか for countable items (questions, books, etc.) and いくらか for uncountable amounts (money, time, water). いくつか can also be used for small countable objects, while いくらか is for mass nouns.
I have some time.
ある程度のリスクは覚悟しています。
I'm prepared for some risk.
Means 'a certain' or 'some'. Used before a noun to refer to something unspecified but specific.
ある日、突然電話がかかってきた。
One day (some day), I suddenly got a call.
Used to single out some members of a group, often with a contrasting statement. 'Among them, some...'
中には高いものもあります。
Some of them are expensive.
It requires some (considerable) effort.
約30人が参加した。
Some 30 people participated.
Placed after a number to mean 'about'. More casual than 約.
30人くらい来た。
Some 30 people came.
何か変な音がした。
I heard some strange noise.
Means 'someone'. Used when the person is unknown.
誰かがドアをノックした。
Someone knocked on the door.
Means 'somewhere'.
どこかで会ったことがある。
I've met you somewhere before.