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.

それほど難(むずか)しくないです。

It's not that difficult.

Common pattern: それほど + negative

それほど高(たか)くなかったので、買(か)いました。

It wasn't that expensive, so I bought it.

それほど心配(しんぱい)しなくてもいいですよ。

You don't need to worry that much.

思(おも)っていたより、それほど大変(たいへん)ではなかった。

It wasn't as hard as I had thought.

この仕事(しごと)はそれほど時間(じかん)がかからないので、今日中(きょうじゅう)に終(お)わらせることができるだろう。

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: the most common word for "not very" with a negative
たいして: similar meaning, common in conversation (たいして高(たか)くない, not that expensive)

In positive sentences, それほど points back to a degree already mentioned: それほど大切(たいせつ)なことなら、早(はや)く言(い)ってほしかった (if it was that important, I wish you had told me sooner).

Related Words

Compare: そんなに (similar meaning, slightly more casual)

Compare: あまり (also used with negatives, but stronger…)

Compare: たいして (more formal, often used in written…)

Compare: さほど (not so much)

Related: これほど (this much, to this extent)

Compare: あれほど (that much)

Compare: そこまで (that far)

core

Added 2026.1.9 21:11 · Revised 2026.10.9 11:07

01500/01563_sorehodo