ほぼ
hobo[ho̞bo̞]
The English phrase 'almost' can be expressed in Japanese using ほぼ (hobo). Wiktionary also lists 大方 (ōkata).
Meaning: very close to (adv)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ほぼ | hobo | [ho̞bo̞] (narrow) |
| 大方 | ōkata | [o̞ːka̠ta̠] (narrow) |
ほぼ is an adverb meaning 'almost' or 'nearly'. It is commonly used when referring to numbers, quantities or states of completion to indicate that a specific threshold or value is very nearly reached.
Which one should you use?
While ほぼ is a general adverb for 'almost', 大方 is a more formal term. 大方 is often used to mean 'mostly' or 'for the most part' when describing a situation or a group of people.
How do you pronounce it?
hobo
What mistakes should you avoid?
While both can mean 'almost', ほとんど is more frequently used to mean 'most of' (for example, 'most people'), whereas ほぼ focuses on the proximity to a specific point or value.
Did you know?
- If you say ほぼ regarding a person's feelings, it can sound strangely robotic, as if you are calculating their emotional state as a mathematical value.
- The word 大方 (ōkata) literally translates to 'big direction', combining the characters for 'large' and 'way/direction'.
- When describing a task that is 'almost' finished, Japanese speakers often use the specific phrase あと少し (ato sukoshi), meaning 'just a little more', rather than the adverbs listed.
Examples in context
- ほぼ終わった。I'm almost done.This sentence is useful for saying you are almost done.Tatoeba #5260 by bunbuku, translation #2040 by Swift
- 仕事はほぼ片付いた。The work is almost done.This sentence is useful for stating that work is almost finished.Tatoeba #11197867 by small_snow, translation #2480901 by AlanF_US
- ほぼ１時間続きました。It lasted for almost an hour.This sentence is useful for expressing that something lasted for almost an hour.Tatoeba #11062068 by KK_kaku_, translation #11055982 by sundown
- ほとんど終わりました。It's almost finished.
- ほぼ同じ意味です。It means almost the same thing.
- ほぼ毎日練習します。I practice nearly every day.
- もう少し待ってください。Please wait a little longer (almost ready).
- もう少しで着きます。I'm almost there.
- ほんとうに忘れかけていました。I almost forgot about it.
- 54 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
陽太 and 結衣 are checking the progress of a project.
- 陽太 Yota準備はほぼできましたか？Junbi wa hobo dekimashita ka?Is the preparation almost done?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、ほぼ完璧です。Hai, hobo kanpeki desu.Yes, it is almost perfect.
- 陽太 Yota結衣さん、本当に助かります。Yui-san, hontou ni tasukarimasu.Yui, you are a great help.
- 結衣 Yuiいえいえ、大丈夫ですよ。Ie ie, daijoubu desu yo.No, no, it is fine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “almost” translations and entries ほぼ, 大方, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 大方, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
