よっぽど
よっぽど
adverb
considerably; very much; really; almost
1.
considerably; very much; really; to a great degree
Emphasizes that something is extreme or significant in degree. Indicates that the speaker considers the amount, extent, or intensity to be notable.
よっぽど疲れていたんだね。
You must have been really tired.
こっちのほうがよっぽどいい。
This one is way better.
よっぽどのことがない限り、予定は変えない。
Unless something really serious happens, I won't change the plan.
2.
almost; very nearly; on the verge of
Indicates that the speaker nearly did something or came very close to a certain action or state. Often used with ～しようかと思った (I almost did...).
よっぽど帰ろうかと思った。
I almost went home.
あまりにも失礼で、よっぽど怒ろうかと思った。
It was so rude that I very nearly got angry.
よっぽど言おうかと思ったが、やめておいた。
I almost said something, but decided against it.
A colloquial variant of よほど. Both forms are widely used, but よっぽど is more common in casual spoken Japanese.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- よっぽどのこと — something really serious
- よっぽど〜しようかと思った — I almost did...
- よっぽど〜のほうがいい — ... is far better
USAGE:
In sense 1, よっぽど emphasizes degree and is often used in comparisons (よっぽどいい, よっぽどまし). The phrase よっぽどのことがない限り is a very common set expression meaning 'unless something extraordinary happens.' In sense 2, it expresses that the speaker was on the verge of doing something but held back.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- よほど — considerably (the standard/slightly more formal form of the same word)
- かなり — considerably, fairly (more neutral; よっぽど carries stronger emphasis and emotion)
- ずいぶん — quite, considerably (similar emphasis but used differently in comparisons)