How much, how many, how far: amounts, limits and words of degree.
These words say how much of something there is and how strongly something is true. The trap is in the limits: 以上 and 以下 include the number itself, so 十八歳以上 means eighteen and over, while 未満 leaves it out. Some degree words need a negative after them: 大して and ちっとも always, and それほど nearly always, much as English "all that" does. And 大勢 counts people only; for things, say たくさん.
The words
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Verb (2)
超えるto exceed; to go over (a number, a limit)VerbN3
今日の気温は三十五度を超えました。Today the temperature went over thirty-five degrees.
For numbers and limits; crossing a place is 越える.
増すto increase; to growVerbN3
雨で川の水が増して、危ない状態です。The river has risen with the rain and is now dangerous.
More written than 増える, and used for speed, weight and danger.
Adverb (13)
多少somewhat; a little; more or lessAdverbN3
日本語は多少わかりますが、難しい話はまだ無理です。I understand a certain amount of Japanese, but difficult conversations are still beyond me.
Also a noun: 多少の違い, a slight difference.
最もmostAdverbN3
この三つの案の中で、最も安くできるのはどれですか。Of these three plans, which can be done most cheaply?
The written equivalent of 一番.
わずかonly; a mere; slightAdverbN3
試験まで、あとわずか三日しかありません。There are only three days left until the exam.
Also before a noun: わずかなお金, a small sum of money.
ややslightly; somewhatAdverbN3
今日は昨日よりやや涼しくなるでしょう。It will probably be slightly cooler today than yesterday.
More written than 少し; common in forecasts and reports.
非常にextremely; veryAdverbN3
その知らせを聞いて、非常に驚きました。I was extremely surprised to hear the news.
A more formal とても.
大してnot very; not much (with a negative)AdverbN3
みんなが勧めるから見たけど、あの映画は大して面白くなかった。I watched it because everyone recommended it, but that film wasn't all that good.
Always followed by a negative.
それほどnot that much; not so (with a negative)AdverbN3
駅からそれほど遠くないので、歩いて行きましょう。It isn't that far from the station, so let's walk.
さらにfurther; even moreAdverbN3
値段が高いのに、来月からさらに上がるそうです。It's already expensive, and apparently it goes up even further from next month.
At the start of a sentence it means "furthermore".
ますますmore and more; increasinglyAdverbN3
説明を聞けば聞くほど、ますますわからなくなりました。The more I listened to the explanation, the less I understood.
たっぷりplenty; fully; generouslyAdverbN3
時間はたっぷりあるから、ゆっくり準備しよう。We have plenty of time, so let's take our time getting ready.
ほんのjust; a mere; only aAdverbN3
ほんの少し遅れただけで、バスに乗れませんでした。I was only a tiny bit late, and I missed the bus.
Always directly before a noun or a word of amount.
はるかにfar; by far; much (more)AdverbN3
新しいパソコンは、前のものよりはるかに速いです。The new computer is far faster than the old one.
ちっともnot at all (with a negative)AdverbN3
兄は部屋の掃除をちっとも手伝ってくれない。My brother doesn't help with cleaning the room at all.
Casual; always with a negative.
This list belongs to The scaffolding — 24 lists and 964 words that can also be practised as a whole.
Practise this list
Multiple choice and gaps, drawn from exactly these 40 words. Whatever you get wrong comes back tomorrow.