およそ
およそ
adverb
about, approximately
1.
about, approximately, roughly
Used to indicate an approximate amount, number, or extent.
およそ三十分かかります。
It takes approximately thirty minutes.
参加者はおよそ百人だった。
There were about one hundred participants.
ここからおよそ二キロ先に駅がある。
There is a station about two kilometers ahead from here.
2.
generally, on the whole
Used to speak in general terms about something.
およそ想像もつかない。
I can't even begin to imagine.
Fixed expression with negative
およそ見当がつかない。
I have absolutely no idea.
およそ〜ない pattern for emphatic negative
この計画はおよそ現実的ではない。
This plan is far from realistic.
およそ〜ない pattern for emphatic negative
およそ means 'approximately' or 'about.' It is somewhat formal.
POSITION: Usually appears before numbers or quantities.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- およそ vs. だいたい: Both mean 'approximately,' but およそ is more formal/written; だいたい is more casual
- およそ vs. 約: 約 is commonly used before numbers in formal writing
- およそ vs. ほぼ: ほぼ means 'almost' and implies closer to the exact amount
FIXED EXPRESSIONS:
- およそ〜ない: not at all, cannot possibly (emphatic negative)
Example: およそ考えられない (utterly unthinkable)
KANJI: Can be written as 凡そ, but hiragana is more common.