How to Say ‘About (approximately)’ in Japanese
ぐらい
gurai
[goo-rye]
💬 Usage Tip: Adds “about/around.” Works with time, distance, and quantity: [十分ぐらい] “about 10 minutes,” [三つぐらい] “about three.”
🇯🇵 In Japan: Using [ぐらい] sounds natural and avoids being overly precise—very aligned with how people casually give directions.
Phrase Breakdown
ぐらい
gurai
[goo-rye]
about; around; approximately
Used after quantities to give an approximate amount. In directions: 歩いて五分ぐらい = “about a 5-minute walk.”
ここから駅まで十分ぐらい です。
It’s about 10 minutes from here to the station.
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