How to say "roughly" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- adverb (with と)For 'roughly' as a casual, approximate figure, or for doing something in a coarse, loose manner. Its onomatopoeic, colloquial flavor makes it at home in informal speech.
- adverbThe neutral adverb for approximate numbers and amounts: 'roughly', 'about', 'approximately' before a quantity. This is usually the word you want when 'roughly' modifies a figure.
- adverb (with と)Here 'roughly' means rough handling with a ripping or tearing sound, not approximation. For 'roughly = about', this is seldom the word you want; it is really the onomatopoeia for vigorous ripping and tearing.
- 一応いちおうno-adjective, adverbCovers 'roughly' as in 'more or less' or 'after a fashion': something is done, though not quite satisfactorily. It hedges how well something is done rather than estimating a quantity.
- adverbFor 'roughly' as 'generally', 'on the whole' or 'mostly': broad approximations covering both quantities and general statements. It can also mean 'almost'.
For approximate figures use 「およそ」 or 「だいたい」; 「ざっくり」 gives a casual rough estimate or a coarse manner; 一応 means more or less, though not quite satisfactorily; 「バリバリ」 only when roughness involves ripping or tearing.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- ざっくりroughly
- およそabout
- ばりばりvigorously (ripping, tearing, scratching, etc.)
- 一応いちおうmore or less
- だいたいgenerally
- ざっとroughly
- がしがしboisterously
- 一通りひととおりgenerally
- おおよそabout
- 粗々あらあらroughly
- ざらっとroughly
- おおむねin general
- 一渡りひとわたりgenerally
- 通りどおりroughly
- ほぼroughly
- ふんroughly
- あれこれaround
- あらかたroughly
- あらましroughly
- 大略たいりゃくroughly
- わしわしroughly (of actions)
- かsome (amount)
See also
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