ほど
Meanings
Used to indicate the degree or extent of something, often in comparisons or with adjectives. Can function as a noun or adverb.
This problem is not as easy as I thought.
His Japanese is surprisingly good.
Expresses a limit or boundary, often in phrases like ほどがある (there is a limit) or ほどをわきまえる (know one's place).
There's a limit even to jokes.
span of time; distance
Used after a quantity or expression to indicate an approximate span of time or distance. Often interchangeable with くらい.
It's about a ten-minute walk to the station.
I waited for about an hour, but he didn't come.
state of; condition of
Used in the pattern 〜のほど to refer politely or indirectly to someone's state or condition. Common in formal or business contexts.
I understand how busy you must be.
Attached to a quantity or expression to mean 'about' or 'approximately'. Similar to くらい, but ほど can sound slightly more formal.
He looks about thirty years old.
as much as; to the extent of; like
Used in comparisons to indicate the degree or extent, often with a negative or in phrases like 〜ほど〜はない (nothing is as ... as ...).
There is no one as kind as her.
the more ... the more ...
Used in the pattern 〜ば〜ほど to express a proportional relationship: the more one thing happens, the more another thing happens.
The more I think about it, the less I understand.
Usage patterns
- 〈形容詞〉ほど〈事〉はないnothing is as [adjective] as this
There is no scenery as beautiful as this.
- 〈動詞〉ば〈動詞〉ほどthe more one does ~, the more ~ (proportional relationship)
The more you study, the more knowledge you gain.
- 〈数〉ほどabout (a certain amount)
I waited for about thirty minutes.
- 〈時〉ほど前about ... ago (span of time before now)
I met him about a week ago.
- 〈事〉のほどa polite, indirect reference to someone's state or situation (formal)
I pray for your good health.