JLPT N1 grammar

〜ぐらいのものだmeaning and usage

Meaning

Only A

How to form it

  • nounぐらい/くらいのものだ
  • verb (dictionary form)ぐらい/くらいのものだ

How it is used

'A is about the only one, the only thing': A is a rare exception or something modest, often said with surprise, self-mockery or irony. Speech also says 「〜ぐらいなものだ」 and 「〜くらいのもんだ」.

Examples

  1. こんな時間まで遊び歩いてるのは彼ぐらいなものだ。

    He's about the only one who's still out having fun this late.

  2. こんな難しい問題が解けるのは、クラスで山田さんぐらいのものだ。

    Yamada is about the only one in the class who can solve a problem this hard.

  3. 最近の楽しみといえば、週末に映画を見るぐらいのものだ。

    About my only pleasure these days is watching a film at the weekend.