ほど

[To the Extent of / As ~ As]

Connection: Various patterns depending on usage

ほど has multiple important uses:

1. Negative comparison: A は B ほど～ない = "A is not as ~ as B"

   • 今日は昨日ほど暑くない (Today is not as hot as yesterday)

2. Degree/extent: Verb/Adj + ほど = "to the extent that" / "so ~ that"

   • 泣くほど嬉しかった (I was so happy I cried / happy to the point of crying)

3. Approximation: Number + ほど = "about / approximately"

   • 10人ほど来ました (About 10 people came)

Examples:

彼は私ほど日本語が上手じゃない。(He's not as good at Japanese as I am.)

死ぬほど忙しいです。(I'm busy to the point of dying / extremely busy.)

30分ほど待ってください。(Please wait about 30 minutes.)