JLPT N3 Shinkanzen Grammar Lesson 3: Comparison and Degree

Comparison and Degree

JLPT N3
Shinkanzen N3 • 4 key grammar patterns
Point 1L3_G1

1. ～くらい / ～ぐらい / ～ほど (To the extent that / About)

Sentence Pattern
N / Aい / Aな / Vる + くらい [だ] / ぐらい [だ] / ほど [だ]
+ に / の N

Used to express the degree or extent of a state or action. Translated as "To the extent that..." or "About...".

Note: 程度ていど (Degree) = ほど
Example Sentences (6)
彼女かのじょの熱意ねついは、周まわりの人ひとまで動うごかすぐらいだ。
Her enthusiasm is to the extent that it can even move the people around her.
彼かれの家いえは、歩あるいて10分ぷんぐらいの場所ばしょにある。
His house is located about a 10-minute walk away.
疲つかれていて、何なにも考かんがえられないほど眠ねむい。
I'm so exhausted and sleepy to the point I can't think of anything.
まるでプロの選手せんしゅかと思おもうほどの素晴すばらしい技術ぎじゅつだった。
It was such a wonderful technique that one would think it was a professional player.
この店みせのパンは美味おいしい。毎日まいにち食たべたいくらいだ。
The bread at this bakery is delicious. I want to eat it every day.
さっき地震じしんがあった。本棚ほんだなが倒たおれるかと思おもうほど激はげしく揺ゆれた。
There was an earthquake just now. It shook so violently that I thought the bookshelf would fall over.
Point 2L3_G2

2. ～くらい～はない / ～ほど～はない (Nothing/No one is as... as...)

Sentence Pattern
Noun (N) + くらい / ぐらい / ほど
+ 【Person】はいない / 【Thing/Event】はない
=> N が 一番 (N is the best)

“There is no one/nothing as... as N.” This is a subjective evaluative expression that places N at the highest degree within the speaker’s frame of reference.

✓ It can express positive or negative evaluation, not only praise. Example: 戦争ほど悲惨なものはない = Nothing is as tragic as war.
✓ It does not necessarily mean that N is “irreplaceable”.

Example Sentences (4)
週末しゅうまつに温泉おんせんに入はいるくらい気持きもちのいいことはない。
There is nothing as pleasant as taking a hot spring bath on the weekend.
彼かれぐらい優やさしい上司じょうしはいない。
There is no boss as kind as him.
家族かぞくと過すごす時間じかんほど大切たいせつなものはない。
There is nothing as important as the time spent with family.
私わたしは料理りょうりを作つくることぐらい楽たのしいことはないと思おもっている。
I always think that there is nothing as fun as cooking.
Point 3L3_G3

3. ～くらいなら / ～ぐらいなら (I would rather... than...)

Sentence Pattern
V1 る / V1 なければならない + くらいなら / ぐらいなら
+ (V2)

"If I have to do (1), I would rather do (2)".

Emphasis: Action (1) is something the speaker strongly dislikes or finds unacceptable. Action (1) can be intentional or unintentional.
Example Sentences (6)
毎日まいにち満員電車まんいんでんしゃに乗のって通勤つうきんするくらいなら、会社かいしゃを辞やめたい。
I would rather quit my job than commute on a crowded train every day.
彼かれの退屈たいくつな話はなしを聞きかされるぐらいなら、一人ひとりで本ほんを読よんでいたい。
I would rather read a book alone than be forced to listen to his boring stories.
毎朝まいあさ自分じぶんで弁当べんとうを作つくるくらいなら、コンビニ弁当べんとうでいい。
If I have to make a bento myself every morning, I'd rather just have a convenience store bento.
気きが合あわない人ひとと一緒いっしょに生活せいかつするぐらいなら、このまま独身どくしんでいたい。
I'd rather stay single like this than live with someone I don't get along with.
30分ぷんも遅おくれて説明会せつめいかいに行いくくらいなら、参加さんかしない方ほうが良よい。
It is better not to participate than to go to the briefing 30 minutes late.
やせるために好すきなケーキをがまんするくらいなら、今いまの体型たいけいのままでかまわない。
I'd rather keep my current body shape than suppress my craving for my favorite cake just to lose weight.
Point 4L3_G4

4. ～に限る (Nothing is better than... / ...is the best)

Sentence Pattern
N / Vる / Vない + に限る (にかぎる)
=> ～が一番いい (The best is N / to V / not to V)

～に限る expresses the speaker’s judgment or experience that “... is best / nothing beats...”.

✓ Common in conversation for subjective advice or preference: 疲れた時は寝るに限る = When you are tired, sleeping is best.
✓ It is not necessarily an objective conclusion or universal rule.
✓ Distinguish it from other 限る patterns such as ～に限って, ～に限り, and ～とは限らない.

Example Sentences (6)
疲つかれたときは、温あたたかいお風呂ふろに限る。
When you are tired, taking a warm bath is the best.
新あたらしい言語げんごを学まなぶには、毎日まいにち少すこしでも話はなす練習れんしゅうをするに限る。
To learn a new language, the best thing to do is practice speaking even a little bit every day.
失敗しっぱいしたくなければ、安易あんいな方法ほうほうに頼たよらないに限る。
If you don't want to fail, the best thing is not to rely on easy methods.
やっぱり映画えいがは映画館えいがかんで見みるに限る。
As expected, watching movies at a movie theater is the best.
風邪かぜが流行はやっている時ときは、人ひとが多おおい所ところには行いかないに限る。
When a cold is going around, it's best not to go to crowded places.
湖みずうみの写真しゃしんを撮とるならこの場所ばしょに限ります。素敵すてきな写真しゃしんが撮とれますよ。
If you're taking pictures of the lake, this place is the best. You can take wonderful photos.
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