おおよそ | Grammar

Structure

おおよそ + [number + counter] おおよそ + [verb] おおよその + [noun]

Description

おおよそ is an adverb meaning "approximately", "roughly". It goes in front of a number, or in front of a verb to say something is roughly so. As a noun it takes の: おおよその is "rough", "approximate".

。

It takes approximately three hours.

。

There were roughly 200 participants.

。

The results turned out roughly as expected.

。

I was able to understand the general content.

おおよそ, だいたい or 約

All three can go before a number. だいたい is the everyday word; おおよそ is a step more formal and turns up in reports, news and presentations. やく約 is the shortest and most written, and it only goes straight before a number – it cannot modify a verb.

。

We'll get there in about ten minutes.

。

It takes about ten minutes from the station.

。

The damage reached approximately 300 million yen.

× 約予想した通りになった → おおよそ予想した通りになった

With a negative: "not at all"

Before a negative or a strong judgment, おおよそ means "utterly", "not remotely". This is literary, and the shorter およそ is the more usual form in this sense.

。

That is hardly realistic at all.

。

It's a completely unbelievable story.

Examples

。

The construction is expected to be completed in roughly half a year.

。

The population of this town is approximately 50,000.

。

Could you tell me the approximate cost?

。

The results turned out roughly as expected.

。

It takes about ten minutes from the station.

。

I have a grasp of the general content of what he said.

。

That is something that can hardly be forgiven.

、。

According to a rough estimate, it will cost about one million yen.

。

The damage amount reached approximately 300 million yen.

。

It is behavior that is hardly conceivable by common sense.

。

I will explain the general flow of the plan.

に2。

The meeting will probably end in about two hours.

References

おおよそBunpro