およそ
およそ
adverb
about, approximately
1.
about, approximately, roughly
Used to indicate an approximate amount, number, or extent.
2.
generally, on the whole
Used to speak in general terms about something.
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.