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Have you heard of "くらい"?
[kurai]
It is a noun/an adverbial particle. It means "about" and it can be used in mainly two ways.
The first way is to describe an approximate amount/degree of something.
The second way is to say that the quality/level of something is very high/low while giving an example. It is used to express an admiration of something or to pay little attention to something.
When you want to mention the low quality/level of something , you can use "せめて" instead of "くらい" depending on the context. And you can also use both of them in the same sentence.
Meg and Amy are talking about Ken.
- Meg: Ken looks tall. How tall is he?
ケンって、背が高いね。身長は、どれくらいなんだろう？(orどれくらい高いのかな？) - Amy: I'm sure he's as tall as LeBron James.
たぶんレブロンジェームズと同じくらい高いよ。
I'm going on a business trip to Tokyo next week. I'd like to stay at a hotel within about 5 minutes from the station.It would be great if it costs around 100 dollars a night.
来週東京へ出張に行く。駅から5分くらいのホテルに泊まりたい。一泊100ドルくらいだとありがたい(*1)。
来週東京へ出張に行く。駅から5分くらいのホテルに泊まりたい。一泊100ドルくらいだとありがたい(*1)。
Ken is asking Leo about how it's going at work.
- Ken: You look so tired. Why don't you leave early?
疲れているみたいだね。早く帰ったら？ - Leo: No, I don't want to. I'm so busy I don't even have time to sleep.
いや、無理だな。寝る暇もないくらい忙しい(*2)。
Meg and Amy are about to pay the bill after dinner.
- Meg: It's my treat tonight. You helped me with the project. Thank you.
おごるよ。プロジェクトを手伝ってくれて、ありがとう。 - Amy: No, thank you. We should help each other in times of need.
いいよ。困ったときはお互い様(*3)だよ。 - Meg: But, the food here is not that expensive so at least let me treat you this time.
でも、(ここの料理は)そんなに高くないし、ここくらいはおごらせて(orせめてここはおごらせてorせめてここくらいはおごらせて)。 - Amy: Thank you. The food at this restaurant is so delicious. I want to eat here every day.
ありがとう。すごく美味しかったね。毎日ここで食べてもいいくらい。
Meg is cooking meatballs for a party.
- Meg: These meatballs are ready. Can you give it a try?
ミートボール、できたよ。味見する？ - Amy: Sure. Wow, it's so tasty. Do you always make fancy dishes like this?
うん。わー、美味しい。いつもこんな手の込んだ料理を作るの？ - Meg: No way. I do cook but only easy stuff such as vegetable stir fry.
まさか。自炊はするけど、野菜炒めくらい簡単な物しか作らない。 - Amy: I see. I wish I could cook as well as you.
そっか。私もメグくらい料理が上手だったらな。
*1 "～だとありがたい" is a phrase. "～だと助かる" is a shimilar phrase.
*2 "寝る暇もないくらい忙しい" is a common phrase. "遊ぶ暇もないくらい忙しい" etc.
*3 "困ったときはお互い様" is a phrase.
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