Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 4 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 4
Core meaning
Use 〜 and 〜 to talk about degree and intensity.
Start with the example
。
I was happy enough to cry.
marks an emotional degree: happy enough to cry.
Notice the variation
。
I was so tired that I could not remain standing.
shows a degree so strong that standing became impossible.
More detail: how to apply this
Both 〜 and 〜 can express degree or extent.
In many sentences they are similar, but 〜 often sounds slightly more objective or stronger, while 〜 is also common for approximate amount or level.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Identify whether the phrase before illustrates intensity or establishes a literal factual claim.
is the actual evaluation: the pronunciation sounded extremely natural.
。
The pronunciation was so natural that I thought the speaker was a native.
Identify whether the phrase before illustrates intensity or establishes a literal factual claim.
Showing Try this approach: Everyday words.
Target signal
。
I was happy enough to cry.
marks an emotional degree: happy enough to cry.
Vocabulary notes
- くらい
- about; approximately; to the extent that
Compare in context
。
I was so tired that I could not remain standing.
shows a degree so strong that standing became impossible.
Vocabulary notes
- 立って
- standing up and
Section 2 of 4
Approximation and comparison
Approximation and comparison
Start with the example
。
It takes about ten minutes to get to the station.
Here means 'about' ten minutes.
Notice the variation
。
There is no season in which flowers are as beautiful as in spring.
AB creates a strong comparison standard.
More detail: how to apply this
〜 is often used for rough quantity or level: “about” or “around.” 〜 also appears in comparison structures like AB, meaning “nothing is as B as A.”
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
It takes about ten minutes to get to the station.
Here means 'about' ten minutes.
。
It takes about ten minutes to get to the station.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: It takes about ten minutes to get to the station.
Showing Approximation and comparison: Everyday words.
Target signal
。
It takes about ten minutes to get to the station.
Here means 'about' ten minutes.
Vocabulary notes
- まで
- until; up to
- くらい
- about; approximately; to the extent that
- かかる
- to hang over; to cover
Preview
。
There is no season in which flowers are as beautiful as in spring.
AB creates a strong comparison standard.
Vocabulary notes
- きれいな
- clean; pretty (before a noun)
- ない
- not; there is not
Section 3 of 4
Reading notes
Identify whether the phrase before illustrates intensity or establishes a literal factual claim.
Reading notes
。
Step 1 of 3 · Notice the clue
Thinking the person was a native speaker supplies an illustrative threshold for the impression.
Step 1: Notice the clue
More detail: the reading method
When reading, decide whether the pattern marks literal quantity, emotional exaggeration, or rhetorical comparison.
The sentence around it usually makes this clear.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
The pronunciation was so natural that I thought the speaker was a native.
The speaker uses to show a very high degree of naturalness.
。
The pronunciation was so natural that I thought the speaker was a native.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: The pronunciation was so natural that I thought the speaker was a native.
Showing Reading notes: Everyday words.
More examples
Target signal
。
The pronunciation was so natural that I thought the speaker was a native.
The speaker uses to show a very high degree of naturalness.
Vocabulary notes
- だと
- if it is; if things are like this
- ほど
- about; approximately
Preview
。
This problem is basic enough that even beginners can understand it.
sets the level as basic enough for beginners.
Vocabulary notes
- この
- this
- 分かる
- to understand
- くらい
- about; approximately; to the extent that
Section 4 of 4
Compare the meaning
Use the contrast to make a decision. Choose an answer before opening the explanation.
Example A
Example B
Your turn · decide before revealing
How do these two examples change the meaning?
More detail: what changes and why
Compare and .
can illustrate intensity;
can approximate an amount, depending on construction.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Same words, two possible interpretations. Which has evidence?
can illustrate intensity; can approximate an amount, depending on construction.
How do these two examples change the meaning?
Supported meaning: Degree illustrated by crying / approximate duration of ten minutes
Use the sentence to choose between these interpretations; do not add information that is only in an answer choice.
Showing Compare the meaning: Everyday words.