なるたけ

also: なるだけ

な

る

た

け

JLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

as much as possible; as far as possible; if possible

usually written using kana alone

Used to express doing something to the greatest extent feasible or within one's ability. Often softens requests or suggestions.

See also: なるべく

なるたけ早はやく来きてください。
Please come as early as possible.
なるたけお金かねを使つかわないようにしている。
I try not to spend money as much as possible.

See all 5 example sentences ›

Usage patterns

なるたけ〈動どう詞し〉to do something as much/as far as possible
なるたけ早はやく返へん事じをください。
Please reply as soon as possible.
なるたけ〈形けい容よう詞し〉to keep something as [adjective] as possible
なるたけ安やすいホテルを探さがしている。
I'm looking for a hotel that's as cheap as possible.

Kanji

成turn into, become, get
丈length, ten shaku, measure

Related words

なるべくN4
なるべく is the more common, neutral modern equivalent, while なるたけ sounds slightly old-fashioned or colloquial.
できるだけN4
できるだけ is a more formal, objective way to say 'as much as possible', whereas なるたけ has a softer, more personal effort-based feel.

Built from

なる+丈たけ

Written forms

なるたけUsage67%
The most common spelling; usually written in kana.
なるだけUsage33%
Alternate reading and spelling; interchangeable with なるたけ in modern usage.
成る丈
rarely-used kanji form
- なるたけ
  Rare kanji form; it is rarely used.
- なるだけ

Etymology

Derived from the verb 成る (なる, 'to become') + 丈 (たけ, 'extent, limit'). The alternate reading なるだけ uses だけ ('only, as much as').