gurai -- The Approximate-Indicating Particle

The Approximate-Indicating Particle

The basic function of "gurai" is to indicate that what precedes
it is an approximate amount or limit, with no implication as to
whether the limit is an upper limit, as is the case with "hodo", or
lower limit, as is usually the case with "bakari".

Example:

Ginza made wa nanpun gurai kakarimasu ka.
Ginza how many minutes take
(About) how many minutes (does) (it) take (to) Ginza?

gurai is often used just to soften the force of a
direct question. It is sometimes pronounced kurai, depending on
the sound of the word which precedes it.

Depending on the context gurai can be used to indicate that
what precedes it is a small amount, or of little or no consequence.

Examples:

Sanjuppun okurete mo daijoubu deshou.
thirty minutes late all right should be
(It) should be all right (even) (if we) are thirty minutes late.

Sanjuppun gurai okurete mo daijoubu desu yo.
thirty minutes late all right should be
(It) is all right (even) (if we) are thirty minutes (or so) late!

Also depending on the context, gurai can indicate that what precedes
it is the extent of an action or condition.

Ana ga attara hairitai gurai hazukasii desu.
hole have want climb into embarassed am
(I) am embarassed (to the extent that) (if) there was (a) hole, (I)
would like (to) climb into (it).

Sample Sentences:

Sono pasokon wa ikura gurai desita ka.
that personal computer how much was
(About) how much was that personal computer?

Kanji wa dono gurai yomemasu ka.
kanji how many can read
How many kanji can (you) read?

Sono tokei wa ikura gurai desu ka.
that watch how much is
(About) how much is that watch?

Shuumatu no aida ni hon o sansatu gurai yomimasita.
weekend over book three read
Over (the) weekend (I) read (about) three books.

Futuu isshuukan ni taisou o sankai gurai simasu.
usually one week exercise three times do
Usually (I) exercise (about) three times (a) week.

kinou no paatii ni nijuunin gurai ga kimasita.
yesterday party twenty people came
(About) twenty people came (to) yesterday's party.

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The Approximate-Indicating Particle

The basic function of "gurai" is to indicate that what precedes it is an approximate amount or limit, with no implication as to whether the limit is an upper limit, as is the case with "hodo", or lower limit, as is usually the case with "bakari".

Sample Sentences:

The basic function of "gurai" is to indicate that what precedes
it is an approximate amount or limit, with no implication as to
whether the limit is an upper limit, as is the case with "hodo", or
lower limit, as is usually the case with "bakari".