GRAMMAR
〜くらい ③
at least
Explanation
NOTE
〜くらい③ expresses a minimum expectation — "at least." It suggests that this one thing is the bare minimum expected.
電話くらいしてもいいのに。
You could at least give me a call.
Here, 'kurai' indicates the minimum expectation that the speaker feels should have been met.
NOTE
It attaches directly to a noun and often carries a slightly grudging or modest nuance.
STRUCTURE
N辞
くらい挨拶くらいしてください。
Aisatsu kurai shite kudasai.
Please at least say hello.
お礼くらい言えばよかった。
O-rei kurai ieba yokatta.
You should have at least said thank you.
名前くらい覚えておいてね。
Namae kurai oboete oite ne.
Please at least remember my name.
Practice exercises
1
挨拶くらいしてください。
Please do at least greet (them).
Answer
くらい
2
自分の部屋くらい自分で掃除しなさい。
Clean at least your own room by yourself.
Answer
くらい
3
お茶くらい飲んでいってください。
Please at least have some tea before you go.
Answer
くらい
4
せめて、挨拶位してください。
Please at least 〜くらい say hello.
Answer
位
5
この仕事は、せめて1日位かかってしまう。
This work will take at least one day to finish.
Answer
位
6
名前くらい覚えておいてね。
Please at least remember my name.
Answer
くらい
7
電話くらいしてもいいのに。
You could at least give me a call.
Answer
くらい
8
謝罪のメールくらい送るべきだったのに、何の連絡もなかった。
You should have at least sent an apology email, but there was no contact at all.
Answer
くらい