When asking about quantity, duration, or distance, どれくらい (dorekurai) is a very useful word. It literally means "how much" or "to what extent."
You can use it to ask about the price of something, like 「この本はどれくらいですか？」(Kono hon wa dorekurai desu ka? - How much is this book?).
It's also great for asking about time, such as 「日本までどれくらいかかりますか？」(Nihon made dorekurai kakarimasu ka? - How long does it take to Japan?).
And if you want to know about distance, you could say 「ここから駅までどれくらいですか？」(Koko kara eki made dorekurai desu ka? - How far is it from here to the station?).
When asking about quantity, duration, or distance, どれくらい (dore kurai) is your go-to word. It's incredibly versatile. For example, to ask "How much does it cost?" you'd say "これはどれくらいですか？" (Kore wa dore kurai desu ka?). Or, if you want to know "How long will it take?" you could ask "どれくらいかかりますか？" (Dore kurai kakarimasu ka?). This phrase helps you get specific information when you need to quantify something.
When using 「どれくらい」, it's generally placed before the verb or adjective it modifies. For instance, to ask "How long does it take?", you would say 「どれくらいかかりますか？」. If you want to know "How much is it?", you could ask 「どれくらいですか？」, although 「いくらですか？」 is more common for prices. You can also specify the unit of measurement by adding a noun after 「どれくらい」, like 「どれくらいの時間」 (how much time) or 「どれくらいの距離」 (how much distance).
どれくらい 30초 만에
- b1
Hello learners! Today we're diving into the useful Japanese word, どれくらい (dore kurai), which you'll use constantly to ask about quantity, duration, and distance. It's an adverb, meaning it modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Think of it as your go-to for 'how much', 'how long', or 'how far'. It's a B1 level word, so if you're aiming for conversational fluency, this is a must-know.
§ Basic Structure with どれくらい
The simplest way to use どれくらい is by placing it before a verb, adjective, or noun followed by です (desu) or か (ka) for questions. Remember, 'か' at the end of a sentence makes it a question.
- DEFINITION
- Use どれくらい + verb/adjective/noun + です/か to form questions about quantity, duration, or distance.
どれくらいかかりますか。
How long will it take? (How much does it take?)
ビールはどれくらいありますか。
How much beer is there?
§ Asking About Time/Duration
When asking about how long something takes or how long an action will last, どれくらい is your best friend. It often pairs with verbs like かかる (kakaru - to take time/money) or かかります (kakarimasu - polite form).
ここから駅までどれくらいかかりますか。
How long does it take from here to the station?
日本にどれくらい滞在しますか。
How long will you stay in Japan?
§ Asking About Quantity/Amount
You can also use どれくらい to inquire about the quantity or amount of something. This is particularly useful when you're talking about non-countable nouns or when you want a general estimate rather than a precise number.
この部屋にはどれくらいの人が入れますか。
How many people can fit in this room? (How much of people can fit?)
Notice the use of の (no) after どれくらい in the example above. This is common when どれくらい modifies a noun indirectly. It essentially acts like an adjective in this case, meaning "about how much/many."
- DEFINITION
- Use どれくらいの + noun to ask about the quantity or amount of that noun.
コーヒーに砂糖をどれくらい入れますか。
How much sugar do you put in your coffee?
§ Asking About Distance
Just like with time and quantity, どれくらい is perfect for asking about distance. You'll often see it paired with verbs like ありますか (arimasu ka - is there/are there) or かかりますか (kakarimasu ka - does it take).
ここから学校までどれくらいありますか。
How far is it from here to school?
空港までどれくらいの距離ですか。
How far is it to the airport? (How much of distance?)
§ More Advanced Uses and Nuances
While the core meaning remains the same, どれくらい can be part of more complex sentence structures. For example, it can be used in relative clauses:
どれくらい日本語を勉強しましたか、教えてください。
Please tell me how long you have studied Japanese.
Here, どれくらい日本語を勉強しましたか (dore kurai nihongo o benkyou shimashita ka) acts as a noun phrase, the object of 教えてください (oshiete kudasai - please tell me).
Also, you might hear どのくらい (dono kurai) which means exactly the same thing and can be used interchangeably with どれくらい. There is no significant difference in meaning or usage, so pick the one you're comfortable with.
- GRAMMAR POINT
- Both どれくらい and どのくらい are correct and mean the same. They are interchangeable.
§ Practice Makes Perfect!
The best way to master どれくらい is to use it! Try to form your own questions and answers. Here are some prompts:
- Ask how long a movie is.
- Ask how much water is in a bottle.
- Ask how far it is to the nearest convenience store.
Keep practicing, and soon you'll be using どれくらい naturally in your Japanese conversations. Good luck with your studies!
수준별 예문
どれくらいかかりますか。
How much does it cost? / How long does it take?
ここから駅までどれくらいですか。
How far is it from here to the station?
日本語をどれくらい勉強していますか。
How long have you been studying Japanese?
この本はどれくらいありますか。
How many of these books are there?
どれくらい食べますか。
How much will you eat?
どれくらいでできますか。
How long will it take to finish it?
どれくらい時間がありますか。
How much time do you have?
どれくらい待てばいいですか。
How long should I wait?
日本にどれくらい滞在する予定ですか？
How long do you plan to stay in Japan?
この本を読むのにどれくらい時間がかかりますか？
How much time does it take to read this book?
あなたの家から駅までどれくらい距離がありますか？
How far is it from your house to the station?
この料理を作るのにどれくらいの材料が必要ですか？
How many ingredients do you need to make this dish?
彼はその仕事を終えるのにどれくらい努力しましたか？
How much effort did he put into finishing that work?
この問題を解決するのにどれくらい時間がかかりますか、教えていただけますか？
Could you tell me how long it will take to solve this problem?
どれくらい練習すれば、上手に日本語が話せるようになりますか？
How much practice does it take to speak Japanese well?
このプロジェクトにはどれくらいの予算が必要ですか？
How much budget is needed for this project?
팁
Use for quantity, duration, and distance
「どれくらい」 is a versatile adverb that can be used to ask about quantity (how much), duration (how long), or distance (how far). Its meaning depends on the context.
Pair with measuring units
When asking about quantity, duration, or distance, you'll often pair 「どれくらい」 with a specific unit of measurement. For example, 「どれくらい時間がかかりますか？」 (How much time will it take?).
Commonly used with verbs of 'taking' or 'costing'
You'll frequently hear 「どれくらい」 used with verbs like 「かかる」 (to take [time/money]) or 「する」 (to cost). Example: 「これはどれくらいしますか？」 (How much does this cost?).
Context is key for meaning
Without additional context or words, the exact meaning of 「どれくらい」 can be ambiguous. Always consider the surrounding words to understand if it's asking about amount, time, or distance.
Don't confuse with 'dore'
While similar in sound, 「どれくらい」 is an adverb asking for a measurement, whereas 「どれ」 (which one) is a pronoun used for selecting among discrete items. Don't use them interchangeably. 「どれくらい」 needs a measurement in the answer.
Formal and informal usage
「どれくらい」 is generally suitable for both formal and informal situations. You don't need to worry much about politeness levels when using this particular word. Just ensure the rest of your sentence is appropriately polite. For example, using 「〜ですか」 for questions keeps it polite.
Practice with common phrases
Memorize common phrases using 「どれくらい」, such as 「どれくらい遠いですか？」 (How far is it?), 「どれくらい大きいですか？」 (How big is it?), or 「どれくらい勉強しましたか？」 (How much did you study?). This will help you use it naturally.
Can be followed by 'no' for nouns
You can sometimes see 「どれくらいの」 followed by a noun, indicating 'about what amount/length/distance of'. For example, 「どれくらいの速さですか？」 (About what speed is it?).
Avoid using for 'how many' when counting specific items
While 「どれくらい」 can imply 'how much' or 'how many' in a general sense, for counting specific, countable items (like 'how many apples'), you should use 「いくつ」 or specific counter words with 「何」 (e.g., 「何人」 for people, 「何個」 for small items). 「どれくらい」 is more for uncountable amounts or general measurements.
Listen for the answer's context
When someone asks you 「どれくらい」, pay attention to their tone and the surrounding situation. The answer will usually involve a number and a unit (e.g., 「三時間」 - three hours, 「五キロ」 - five kilometers, 「たくさん」 - a lot).
암기하기
기억법
Think of 'dorekurai' as 'dura-tion, 'dura-bility,' or 'dura-tion of distance.' The 'dore' part sounds a bit like 'door,' as if you're asking 'how much is behind that door?'
시각적 연상
Imagine a stretchy measuring tape. As you say 'dorekurai,' visualize pulling the tape to measure length, time on a clock, or even a pile of items to gauge 'how much.'
Word Web
챌린지
Try to ask at least three different 'dorekurai' questions today. For example, ask about the duration of your favorite TV show, the distance to a local shop, or the amount of sugar in your coffee. Don't be afraid to experiment!
셀프 테스트 24 질문
このケーキは___かかりますか。
To ask 'how much' something costs, 'どれくらい' (dorekurai) is the appropriate word here. 'いくら' is also 'how much' but for price specifically, whereas 'どれくらい' is more general.
ここから駅まで___ありますか。
To ask 'how far' a distance is, 'どれくらい' (dorekurai) is the correct word. The other options are for 'when', 'how', and 'why'.
日本語を___勉強しましたか。
To ask 'how long' someone studied Japanese, 'どれくらい' (dorekurai) is used. The other options are for 'who', 'what', and 'where'.
この仕事は___時間かかりますか。
To ask 'how much time' something will take, 'どれくらい' (dorekurai) is the suitable word. The other options don't fit the context.
この本は___ページありますか。
To ask 'how many pages' a book has, 'どれくらい' (dorekurai) is the appropriate choice. 'いくら' is for price, 'いつ' for when, and 'なに' for what.
スーパーまで___歩きますか。
To ask 'how far' one walks to the supermarket, 'どれくらい' (dorekurai) is the correct word. The other options do not fit the meaning of 'how far'.
Choose the best question using 「どれくらい」 for 'How much does this cost?'
While 「どれくらい」 can refer to 'how much,' 「いくら」 is specifically used for asking about prices. The correct phrasing is 「これはいくらですか。」
Which sentence correctly asks about the duration of a trip using 「どれくらい」?
「どれくらい」 is used to ask about duration or length. 'How long is the trip?' is 「旅行はどれくらいですか。」
You want to ask 'How far is the station from here?' Which sentence is correct?
「どれくらい」 can be used to ask about distance. 'How far is it from the station to here?' is 「駅からここまでどれくらいですか。」
「どれくらい」 can be used to ask about the amount of time something takes.
「どれくらい」 is commonly used to inquire about duration or how long something takes.
The phrase 「これはどれくらいですか」 is the most natural way to ask 'How much does this weigh?'
While 「どれくらい」 can relate to quantity, for 'how much does this weigh?', it's more natural to use 「これはどれくらい重いですか」 or a more direct question about weight. 「これはどれくらいですか」 is too general for weight.
You can use 「どれくらい」 to ask about the height of a building.
「どれくらい」 can be used to ask about measurements like height or length, so asking 'How tall is this building?' with 「このビルはどれくらいですか」 is acceptable.
このプロジェクトを完成させるのに、___時間かかりますか？
「どれくらい」は時間や量を尋ねる際に使われます。ここではプロジェクトの完了にかかる時間を尋ねているため適切です。
新しいオフィスは、ここから___離れていますか？
「どれくらい」は距離を尋ねる際にも使用されます。新しいオフィスまでの距離を尋ねているため、この選択肢が正しいです。
この本を読むのに、平均して___日かかりますか？
本の読了にかかる日数を尋ねる際に「どれくらい」は適切です。期間や量を問う表現です。
彼の病気は、___深刻だと医者は言っていましたか？
病気の深刻度を尋ねる際に「どれくらい」が使われます。程度を問う表現です。
この問題を解決するのに、___労力を費やしましたか？
労力という量を尋ねる際に「どれくらい」が適切です。
あなたは、この分野で___経験がありますか？
経験の量を尋ねる際に「どれくらい」が使われます。期間や量を問う表現です。
Imagine you're planning a hiking trip in the Japanese Alps. Describe the preparations you would make, focusing on how you would inquire about the duration of the hike, the distance, and the amount of food or water needed. Use 'どれくらい' at least three times in your response.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
今度、日本アルプスに登山に行く予定です。まずは、今回のルートの所要時間がどれくらいか調べます。それから、歩く距離がどれくらいあるか確認して、食料と水がどれくらい必要か計算します。万全の準備をして、安全な登山を楽しみたいです。
You are renovating your traditional Japanese house. Write a short paragraph discussing the timeline of the renovation project, the budget, and the amount of materials you anticipate needing. Incorporate 'どれくらい' naturally to ask about or estimate these quantities.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
自宅の改築を計画中です。工事期間がどれくらいかかるのか、職人さんに相談しなければなりません。また、予算がどれくらい必要か、具体的な見積もりを出してもらいます。特に、新しい畳や障子の材料がどれくらいいるのか、事前に確認しておきたいです。
You are giving advice to a friend who is moving to Japan for the first time. Explain how they might inquire about various aspects of their new life, such as the duration of their visa, the cost of living, or the time it takes to commute. Ensure 'どれくらい' is used appropriately in your guidance.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
日本へ引っ越す友人にアドバイスをします。まず、ビザの有効期限がどれくらいか確認するように伝えます。それから、毎月の生活費がどれくらいかかるのか、事前にリサーチすることを勧めます。また、通勤時間がどれくらいになるかも、住む場所を選ぶ上で重要だと教えます。
この文の筆者は、新幹線の利用で何について反省していますか。
Read this passage:
先日、東京から大阪まで新幹線で移動しました。所要時間は約2時間半でしたが、座席の快適さのおかげで、思ったより疲れを感じませんでした。しかし、乗車料金がどれくらいか、事前にしっかり確認しておくべきでした。結構な出費になったので、次回からはもっと計画的に利用しようと思います。
この文の筆者は、新幹線の利用で何について反省していますか。
筆者は「乗車料金がどれくらいか、事前にしっかり確認しておくべきでした」と述べており、料金の確認不足を反省しています。
筆者は「乗車料金がどれくらいか、事前にしっかり確認しておくべきでした」と述べており、料金の確認不足を反省しています。
この文章から、茶道の道具についてどのようなことがわかりますか。
Read this passage:
日本の伝統的な茶道には、季節によって様々な道具が用いられます。例えば、夏には涼しげな素材の茶碗が使われ、冬には保温性の高いものが選ばれます。それぞれの道具がどれくらいの期間使われるかは、流派やその年の気候によって異なりますが、大切に手入れをすれば何十年も使えるものもあります。茶道は、物を大切にする心も教えてくれる奥深い文化です。
この文章から、茶道の道具についてどのようなことがわかりますか。
本文では「季節によって様々な道具が用いられます」「それぞれの道具がどれくらいの期間使われるかは、流派やその年の気候によって異なります」と明確に述べられています。
本文では「季節によって様々な道具が用いられます」「それぞれの道具がどれくらいの期間使われるかは、流派やその年の気候によって異なります」と明確に述べられています。
筆者がウォーキングを始めた主な目的は何ですか。
Read this passage:
最近、健康のためにウォーキングを始めました。毎朝、近所の公園まで歩いているのですが、片道どれくらい時間がかかるか計測してみたところ、意外にも30分ほどでした。この距離を毎日歩くことで、体力がどれくらい向上するか楽しみです。目標は、来月の健康診断で良い結果を出すことです。
筆者がウォーキングを始めた主な目的は何ですか。
筆者は「健康のためにウォーキングを始めました」と述べ、最終的な目標として「来月の健康診断で良い結果を出すこと」を挙げています。
筆者は「健康のためにウォーキングを始めました」と述べ、最終的な目標として「来月の健康診断で良い結果を出すこと」を挙げています。
/ 24 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
「どれくらい」is a useful phrase for asking about amount, time, or distance.
- b1
Use for quantity, duration, and distance
「どれくらい」 is a versatile adverb that can be used to ask about quantity (how much), duration (how long), or distance (how far). Its meaning depends on the context.
Pair with measuring units
When asking about quantity, duration, or distance, you'll often pair 「どれくらい」 with a specific unit of measurement. For example, 「どれくらい時間がかかりますか？」 (How much time will it take?).
Commonly used with verbs of 'taking' or 'costing'
You'll frequently hear 「どれくらい」 used with verbs like 「かかる」 (to take [time/money]) or 「する」 (to cost). Example: 「これはどれくらいしますか？」 (How much does this cost?).
Context is key for meaning
Without additional context or words, the exact meaning of 「どれくらい」 can be ambiguous. Always consider the surrounding words to understand if it's asking about amount, time, or distance.
관련 콘텐츠
관련 표현
general 관련 단어
いくつか
B1An unspecified small number of things; some, a few.
ちょっと
A2A little; a moment; a bit. Small amount or short time.
すこし
A2A little; a few.
さっき
A2A little while ago; a short time past.
能力
A1Nouryoku refers to the mental or physical power, skill, or capacity required to perform a specific task or function. It can describe both innate talent and skills acquired through learning and practice.
異常
A1A word used to describe something that deviates from the normal state, standard, or expected pattern. It often implies a problem, malfunction, or an extraordinary occurrence that requires attention or investigation.
～について
A2About, concerning; indicates topic.
〜について
B1About, concerning; on the subject of.
～ぐらい
A2about, approximately
ぐらい
A2About; approximately; to the extent of.
