「〜くらいなら」- If It's to This Extent

Explanation

「〜くらいなら」 is a Japanese grammatical structure used to express "if it's to this extent." It is often used to compare two choices or situations, indicating that the speaker prefers another option under certain circumstances.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Verb Plain Form + くらいなら	Verb Plain Form + くらいなら	Indicates that under a certain extent, the speaker prefers another option.
Noun + くらいなら	Noun + くらいなら	Indicates that under a certain extent, the speaker prefers another option.

Basic Usage

Connection

• Verb Plain Form + くらいなら
• Noun + くらいなら

Meaning

• Indicates that under a certain extent, the speaker prefers another option.

Examples

• このこの仕事しごとを続つづけるくらいなら、辞やめたほうがいい。
• Kono shigoto o tsuzukeru kurai nara, yameta hou ga ii.
• If it's to the extent of continuing this job, it's better to quit.
  

• 彼かれと一緒いっしょに働はたらくくらいなら、一人ひとりで仕事しごとをしたほうがいい。
• Kare to issho ni hataraku kurai nara, hitori de shigoto o shita hou ga ii.
• If it's to the extent of working with him, it's better to work alone.
  

• このこの値段ねだんで買かうくらいなら、別べつの店みせで探さがしたほうがいい。
• Kono nedan de kau kurai nara, betsu no mise de sagashita hou ga ii.
• If it's to the extent of buying at this price, it's better to look for it at another store.
  

• こんなこんな生活せいかつを続つづけるくらいなら、新しいあたらしい仕事しごとを探さがしたほうがいい。
• Konna seikatsu o tsuzukeru kurai nara, atarashii shigoto o sagashita hou ga ii.
• If it's to the extent of continuing this kind of life, it's better to look for a new job.
  

Comparison and Differences

Although both 「〜くらいなら」 and 「〜より」 are used for comparison, they differ in usage and expression.

Grammar Point	Usage	Expression
〜くらいなら	Compares two choices or situations	Indicates that under a certain extent, the speaker prefers another option
〜より	Compares two things or situations	Indicates that one thing or situation is better or worse than another

Example:

• 彼かれと一緒いっしょに働はたらくくらいなら、一人ひとりで仕事しごとをしたほうがいい。
  Kare to issho ni hataraku kurai nara, hitori de shigoto o shita hou ga ii.
  If it's to the extent of working with him, it's better to work alone.

Deep Dive

「〜くらいなら」 is mainly used to compare two choices or situations, indicating that under a certain extent, the speaker prefers another option. This expression is often used to convey dissatisfaction or unwillingness to accept a certain situation.

Summary

「〜くらいなら」 is a Japanese grammatical structure used to express "if it's to this extent." It is commonly used to compare two choices or situations, indicating that under a certain extent, the speaker prefers another option. Mastering this structure will help you better express your preferences and choices in both everyday conversations and formal situations.