Translation guide
Expressions for approximate location, time, or quantity, similar to 'around there', 'about that', or 'or so'.
Referring to a place near a specified point or area.
Common, casual way to say 'around there' or 'in that area'. Can also be used for abstract 'that kind of thing'.
駅はその辺にあります。
The station is around there.
その辺で会いましょう。
Let's meet around there.
Slightly more formal than その辺. Means 'that area' or 'thereabouts'.
事故はそのあたりで起きました。
The accident happened around there.
'Around there' when referring to a place distant from both speaker and listener.
あの辺にコンビニがありますか。
Is there a convenience store around there?
Indicating a time near a specified point.
'Around that time' or 'about then'. Used for both time and quantity.
会議はそのくらいに終わります。
The meeting will end around that time.
'Around that time' (in the past or future). Often used in narratives.
そのころ、私は学生でした。
Around that time, I was a student.
Attach to a specific time to mean 'around ~ o'clock'.
3時ごろに着きます。
I'll arrive around 3 o'clock.
Expressing 'about that much' or 'or so'.
Works for both time and quantity. Very common.
費用はそのくらいかかります。
It costs about that much.
Similar to そのくらい, slightly more casual.
それくらいなら買えます。
If it's about that much, I can buy it.
Attach to a number or quantity to mean 'about' or 'approximately'.
10人ぐらい来ます。
About 10 people will come.
More formal than ぐらい. Used in writing or polite speech.
1時間ほど待ちました。
I waited for about an hour.
Both mean 'around there'. その辺 is more casual and common in speech. そのあたり is slightly more formal and can sound more precise.
Both mean 'about' when attached to numbers. ぐらい is used in casual and neutral contexts. ほど is more formal and often used in writing or polite speech. ほど can also imply an upper limit.