同じぐらい
About the Same
同じぐらい means "about the same" or "roughly equal." It compares two things to show they share a similar level of a specific trait like height, weight, or price.
How It Works
The pattern 同じぐらい is a versatile comparative tool. It is formed by combining 同じ (same) with the particle ぐらい (approximate amount).
Key Usage Rules:
- Comparing Nouns: Use the particle と to mark the standard of comparison: [A] は [B] と同じぐらい [Adjective] です。
- Modifying Nouns: Use 同じぐらいの before a noun to describe a similar quantity or size: 同じぐらいの大きさ (about the same size).
- Verbs: To compare actions, nominalize the verb using の: [Verb] のと同じぐらい.
Nuance:
Native speakers prefer ぐらい in speech, though くらい is also correct. Unlike ほど, which is often used for negative comparisons ("not as... as"), 同じぐらい is strictly for expressing approximate equality.
Examples (5)
- ケンは僕と同じぐらい背が高い。
Ken is about as tall as me.
Word by Word: Ken (topic) me (with) same about height (is) high.
Here, 'me' (僕) is the standard of comparison marked by と. The adjective 'tall' (背が高い) follows the pattern.
- 二人の身長は同じぐらいだ。
The two of them are about the same height.
Word by Word: Two people's height (topic) same about is.
This shows the pattern used at the end of a sentence with the copula だ to state equality of a specific noun (height).
- 昨日と同じぐらいの気温ですね。
The temperature is about the same as yesterday, isn't it?
Word by Word: Yesterday (with) same about (possessive) temperature is, right?
This demonstrates the 'noun modifier' form using の to link 'about the same' to 'temperature'.
- このカバンは、あのカバンと同じぐらい重い。
This bag is about as heavy as that one.
Word by Word: This bag (topic), that bag (with) same about heavy.
A classic comparison of weight between two objects.
- 走るのと同じぐらい疲れる。
It's about as tiring as running.
Word by Word: Run (nominalizer) with same about get tired.
The verb 走る (to run) is turned into a noun using の so it can be compared using the pattern.
Common Mistakes
Omitting the particle と.
ケンは僕同じぐらい背が高い。ケンは僕と同じぐらい背が高い。You must use the particle と to connect the person or thing you are comparing against to the word 同じ（おなじ）.
Using ほど to mean 'about the same'.
同じほど重い。同じぐらい重い。While ほど also means 'extent,' the fixed expression for 'about the same' always uses くらい or ぐらい. 同じほど is grammatically incorrect in this context.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand '同じぐらい' (about the same), you first need to know the basic concept of equality using '同じ' (same) and the particle 'ぐらい' (approximately). Since this pattern often functions as a modifier for other nouns, understanding basic noun modification is also helpful.
- と同じSame as
The pattern '同じぐらい' is a variation of 'と同じ' (the same as), using 'ぐらい' to express approximate equality rather than exact equality.
Level 2 - くらい/ぐらいAbout/approximately
The particle 'ぐらい' provides the meaning of 'about' or 'approximately' which is essential to the meaning of this pattern.
Level 2 - Noun Modification
Understanding how to modify nouns with adjectives or other nouns is necessary to use '同じぐらい' in phrases like '同じぐらいの大きさ' (about the same size).
Level 1
Related Patterns
- より〜の方がMore than
Used for direct comparisons where one thing is 'more' than the other, whereas 同じぐらい shows equality.
Level 2 - ほど〜ないNot as Much as
Used for negative comparisons ('not as... as'), which is the opposite of the equality shown by 同じぐらい.
Level 2 - よう（比況）Like/similar to
Used to show similarity in appearance or type, while 同じぐらい focuses on measurable degree or quantity.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice 同じぐらい in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Japanese lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
