それほど

それほど
adverb
to that extent, that much
1. to that extent, that much, so much
Indicates degree or extent, often used with negative expressions to mean 'not that much' or 'not particularly'. Can also be used in positive contexts to emphasize extent.
それほど(むずか)しくないです。
It's not that difficult.
Common pattern: それほど + negative
It wasn't that expensive, so I bought it.
You don't need to worry that much.
(おも)っていたほど、それほど大変(たいへん)ではなかった。
It wasn't as difficult as I had expected.
This work won't take that much time, so I should be able to finish it today.

それほど is commonly used with negative predicates to soften statements, meaning 'not particularly' or 'not that much'.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • それほど〜ない (not that ~)
  • それほど〜なくてもいい (don't need to ~ that much)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • そんなに: similar meaning, slightly more casual
  • あまり: also used with negatives, but stronger negation
  • たいして: more formal, often used in written Japanese

In positive sentences, それほど emphasizes degree: それほど大切(たいせつ)なことです (It's that important).