synonym Comparative
ほとんど
VS
ほぼ
Differences Between "ほとんど" and "ほぼ"
Option A
ほとんど
Meaning
almost, hardly, scarcely (with negative), mostly, nearly all
Reading
ほとんど (hotondo)
Syllabus Level
N4
Practical Example
宿題はほとんど終わりました。
The homework is almost finished.
Option B
ほぼ
Meaning
almost, roughly, approximately
Reading
ほぼ (hobo)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
宿題はほぼ終わった。
My homework is almost finished.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(almost, hardly, scarcely (with negative), mostly, nearly all)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- ほとんど: Indicates that something is very close to 100% or very close to 0%. Often used with negative verbs (e.g., ほとんど食べない) to mean "hardly/scarcely."
- ほぼ: Indicates that something is very close to a particular state, quantity, or time, but not exactly. Stronger than 'だいたい' (daitai) in proximity.
- ほとんど: Indicates that something is very close to 100% or very close to 0%. Often used with negative verbs (e.g., ほとんど食べない) to mean "hardly/scarcely."
- ほぼ: Indicates that something is very close to a particular state, quantity, or time, but not exactly. Stronger than 'だいたい' (daitai) in proximity.
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