Contrast, comparison and degree
～ほど
to the extent of ~; as much as ~; not as ~ as
AI-written, reviewed by AI (ChatGPT)
How to form it
- Verb / い-adjective (plain form) + ほど
- Noun + ほど
- Noun + ほど + (adjective / verb) + ない (not as ~ as)
Register: Neutral
Explanation
Shows the degree or extent to which something is the case, often with an exaggerated example.
The first part gives a vivid example of the degree. With a negative, it means 'not as ~ as'.
Examples
涙が出るほど、笑った。
なみだがでるほど、わらった。
I laughed so much that tears came out.
今日は昨日ほど寒くない。
きょうはきのうほどさむくない。
Today is not as cold as yesterday.
眠れないほど、心配だった。
ねむれないほど、しんぱいだった。
I was so worried that I could not sleep.
驚くほど、早く終わった。
おどろくほど、はやくおわった。
It finished surprisingly quickly.
Compare with
- ～くらい / ぐらい: くらい is similar but is more casual and can also mean 'about'.
- ～ば～ほど: ばほど shows proportional change.
Common mistakes
- Using it for a plain comparison 'more than'; for that, use より.