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〜くらい・〜ぐらい (at least, to the extent)

at least, even just; so … that; no one as … as

Noun / Plain form + くらい / ぐらい

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At N5, ぐらい meant "about" with numbers. It has more uses.

At least, even just: it plays something down as the minimum: 自分の部屋ぐらい自分で掃除しなさい, "at least clean your own room yourself". 電話くらいしてくれてもいいのに, "you could at least have called". It's often a complaint.

So … that: like ほど, it gives the extent: 声が出ないくらい驚いた, "I was so surprised I couldn't speak".

No one as … as: 彼くらい日本語が上手な人はいない, "no one speaks Japanese as well as he does".

くらい and ぐらい are interchangeable. Some speakers prefer くらい after これ, それ, あれ and どれ.

Examples

  • 自分じぶんの部屋へやぐらい自分じぶんで掃除そうじしなさい。

    At least clean your own room yourself.

  • 電話でんわくらいしてくれてもいいのに。

    You could at least have called.

  • ひらがなぐらい読よめるよ。

    I can at least read hiragana.

  • 声こえが出でないくらい驚おどろいた。

    I was so surprised I couldn't speak.

  • 彼かれくらい日本語にほんごが上手じょうずな人ひとはいない。

    No one speaks Japanese as well as he does.

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