かなり
Quite, Considerably, Pretty, Fairly
Structure
かなり + の + Noun
Explanation
かなり is an adverb expressing that the degree or quantity of something is substantial. It can be translated as 'quite', 'fairly', 'considerably', or 'pretty'. かなり typically precedes the word or phrase it modifies. When it modifies a noun directly, it is followed by the particle の.
- 昨日のハイキングはかなり歩いたから、足が痛い。Because we walked quite a lot on yesterday's hike, my legs hurt.
- 今日の午後は、きのうよりかなり暑いですね。This afternoon is considerably hotter than yesterday, isn't it?
- このレポートを終わらせるには、かなりの時間がかかりそうだ。It looks like it will take a considerable amount of time to finish this report.
- コンサートにはかなりの数のファンが集まった。A pretty large number of fans gathered for the concert.
Fun Fact
The word かなり has its roots in the kanji expressions 可也 and later 可成. These combinations conveyed the idea of something 'becoming acceptable' or 'becoming passable'. The character 也 is an older form for 'to become'. This origin is reflected in its modern use, where かなり indicates that a state or degree has reached a level that is significant and must be acknowledged. This can apply to both positive and negative situations.
- この絵、あなたが描いたんですか。かなり上手ですね！You drew this picture? It's quite skillful!
- この問題はかなり難しい。一人で解けるかな。This problem is pretty difficult. I wonder if I can solve it by myself.
Examples
友達と買い物：「この帽子、かなり大きいね。」
Shopping with a friend: 'This hat is quite big, isn't it?'
友達１：「きのう行ったレストランどうだった？」
友達２：「うん、かなり美味しかったよ。」
Friend 1: 'How was the restaurant you went to yesterday?'
Friend 2: 'Yeah, it was pretty delicious.'
デート：「わあ、この公園はかなりきれいですね。」
On a date: 'Wow, this park is quite beautiful, isn't it?'
仕事後：「ああ、今日はかなり疲れた…。」
After work: 'Ah, I'm pretty tired today…'
プロジェクトについて：「このレポートを終わらせるのには、かなりの時間がかかるだろう。」
About a project: 'It will probably take a considerable amount of time to finish this report.'
学生１：「試験、どうだった？」
学生２：「うーん、かなり難しかったよ。」
Student 1: 'How was the exam?'
Student 2: 'Hmm, it was quite difficult.'
先生が生徒に：「あなたの日本語はかなり上達しましたね。」
Teacher to student: 'Your Japanese has improved considerably.'
近所について：「この辺は夜になるとかなり静かだね。」
About the neighborhood: 'It gets quite quiet around here at night, doesn't it?'
祖母と孫：「おばあちゃんが子どものころの話をして。」
「あら、それはかなり昔の話よ。」
Grandmother and grandchild: 'Grandma, tell me a story from when you were a child.'
'Oh my, that's a story from quite a long time ago.'
天気予報：「午後からは風がかなり強くなるでしょう。」
Weather forecast: 'From the afternoon, the wind will likely get considerably strong.'
同僚との会話：「今日のスケジュールはかなりハードだね。」
Conversation with a colleague: 'Today's schedule is pretty tough, isn't it?'
噂話：「田中さんの新しい彼氏、かなりの資産家らしいよ。」
Gossiping: 'I heard Tanaka-san's new boyfriend is a man of considerable wealth.'