Translation guide
Expresses that something happens to the degree or in proportion to something else. Often used to show a cause-and-effect relationship where the extent of one thing determines the extent of another.
Expressing that one action or state increases or changes in proportion to another.
A conditional pattern meaning 'the more A, the more B'. Repeat the same verb or adjective in the conditional form and add ほど.
考えれば考えるほどわからなくなる。
The more I think about it, the less I understand.
練習すればするほど上手になる。
The more you practice, the better you get.
Indicating that an action or state reaches such a degree that a particular result occurs.
Used with nouns or verbs to mean 'so A that B', often with a negative or extreme result. A is the cause, B is the result.
嬉しさのあまり泣き出した。
I was so happy that I burst into tears.
緊張のあまり言葉が出てこなかった。
I was so nervous that I couldn't get the words out.
Expressing that something is true only to a certain degree or within certain limits.
Means 'as long as A, B' or 'to the extent that A, B'. Indicates a condition or limit.
私が知っているかぎり、彼は無実だ。
To the extent that I know, he is innocent.
できるかぎり手伝います。
I'll help to the extent that I can.
Both ほど and くらい can express extent, but ほど often implies a higher degree or a limit, while くらい is more neutral and often used for approximations. In negative sentences, ほど is preferred for comparisons (e.g., 思ったほど難しくない 'not as difficult as I thought').
死ぬほど疲れた。
I'm so tired I could die. (emphasizing extreme degree)
泣きたいくらい嬉しい。
I'm so happy I could cry. (more neutral extent)
Avoid directly translating 'to the extent that' word-for-word. Japanese uses specific grammatical patterns like ほど, くらい, ば...ほど, etc. Using 程度 (ていど) is possible but often sounds stiff or overly formal in casual contexts.
A simpler pattern meaning 'the more A, the more B'. Often used with adjectives or verbs directly followed by ほど.
年を取るほど記憶力が落ちる。
The older you get, the more your memory declines.
値段が高いほど品質が良いとは限らない。
A higher price doesn't necessarily mean better quality.
Expresses that A is to the extent that B happens. Often used in casual speech. Can be replaced with ぐらい.
泣きたいくらい嬉しい。
I'm so happy I could cry.
足が痛くなるくらい歩いた。
I walked so much that my feet hurt.
Also used for resultative extent, similar to くらい. Indicates that A is so extreme that B occurs.
死ぬほど疲れた。
I'm so tired I could die.
驚くほど簡単だった。
It was surprisingly easy (to the extent that I was surprised).
Means 'to the extent that A, B' or 'as much as A, B'. Often used with verbs of ability or knowledge.
知っているだけのことは話した。
I told them everything I knew (to the extent that I knew).
できるだけ早く来てください。
Please come as soon as possible (to the extent that you can).