To the extent that...; to the degree that...
「〜ほど」 is used to express a degree or extent of something, often indicating a comparison or a certain limit. It can imply that as one thing increases or decreases, the other thing does as well.
「〜ほど」 can be used in various contexts, including comparisons and degrees of actions, states, or qualities. It often indicates a limit or extent to which something applies.
| Form | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Noun + ほど | Indicates a degree of a noun |
| Verb (dictionary form) + ほど | Indicates a degree of an action |
| い形容词 + ほど | Indicates a degree of a quality |
| な形容词 + ほど | Indicates a degree of a quality |
Connection: This structure connects a noun, verb, or adjective to express the extent or degree of a certain condition or quality.
Meaning: It is generally translated as “to the extent that...” or “to the degree that...”.
彼の話は面白いほど、時間を忘れてしまった。
His story was so interesting that I lost track of time.
お金がないほど、旅行には行けない。
I can't go on a trip to the extent that I don't have money.
この問題は簡単なほど、解くのが楽しい。
The easier this problem is, the more fun it is to solve.
あなたの努力ほど、成功は訪れる。
Success will come to the extent of your effort.
彼女は努力するほど、成果が出る。
The more she puts in effort, the better the results she gets.
Tone: The tone of 「〜ほど」 is typically neutral, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
Context: This structure is frequently used for making comparisons or stating limits, so it can often be found in discussions of degrees, amounts, or qualities.
「〜ほど」 is a versatile expression used to indicate the degree or extent of something, often in comparisons or limitations. It effectively conveys the relationship between varying qualities or actions, making it a valuable structure in both spoken and written Japanese.