In Japanese, the particle after a number completely changes the nuance. At N2, you need to master four special quantity patterns.
① Quantity + も: As Many As… (Emphasis on Large Amount)
「Quantity + も」expresses that the speaker considers the amount surprisingly large — "that many!":
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 2000万円もの損失を出したそうだ。 | Apparently they suffered losses of as much as 20 million yen. |
| この本は500ページもある。 | This book has a whopping 500 pages. |
| 3時間も待たされた。 | I was made to wait for a full three hours. |
Connection: Quantity + も Nuance: Emphasizes "more than expected."
② Quantity + は: At Least… (Emphasis on Minimum)
「Quantity + は」expresses at least this much, probably more:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| この別荘は五千万円はしている。 | This villa is worth at least 50 million yen. |
| 彼は40歳はいっている。 | He's at least 40 years old. |
| 完成までに3日はかかる。 | It'll take at least three days to finish. |
Connection: Quantity + は Nuance: Emphasizes "the minimum floor."
も vs は Comparison
| Quantity + も | Quantity + は | |
|---|---|---|
| Nuance | As many as (surprise) | At least (floor) |
| Direction | Emphasizes "more than thought" | Emphasizes "minimum amount" |
| Example | 500ページもある (a whopping 500 pages) | 500ページはある (at least 500 pages) |
③ Minimum Quantity + も + Negative: Not Even One (Total Negation)
「Minimum quantity + も + negative」means not even the smallest amount — complete denial:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 九十点以上取った人は一人もいない。 | Not a single person scored above 90. |
| 一度も海外に行ったことがない。 | I've never been abroad even once. |
| 一円も残っていない。 | Not a single yen remains. |
Connection: 一人/一度/一つ/一円 + も + negative Similar patterns: 〜としても + negative, 〜だって + negative
④ Quantity + も + Negative: Less Than… (Emphasis on Quickness)
「Quantity + も + 経たないうちに」means it happened before even reaching that amount — emphasizes how little time/quantity:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 三日も経たないうちにやめてしまう。 | They quit in less than three days. |
| 10分もかからないで着いた。 | I arrived in less than 10 minutes. |
Connection: Quantity + も + negative form Nuance: Emphasizes "surprisingly few/quick."
Quick Reference
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity + も | As many as (surprise) | 500ページもある |
| Quantity + は | At least (floor) | 五千万はする |
| Min. qty + も + neg | Not even one | 一人もいない |
| Quantity + も + neg | Less than | 三日も経たない |
Summary
- Quantity + も = Emphasizes large amount (surprisingly many)
- Quantity + は = Emphasizes minimum (at least this much)
- Minimum + も + negative = Total negation (not even one)
- Quantity + も + negative = Less than (emphasizes few/quick)
Self-Check
1. Translate: 「この本は500ページもある。」
Show Answer
"This book has a whopping 500 pages." Quantity + も = emphasizes the amount is surprisingly large.
2. What's the difference between 「五千万円はする」 and 「五千万円もする」?
Show Answer
- 五千万円はする: It's worth at least 50 million (could be more)
- 五千万円もする: It costs a whopping 50 million (speaker finds it expensive) は emphasizes the minimum floor; も emphasizes surprise at the amount.
3. Complete the total negation: 今日の会議に____.
Show Answer
今日の会議に一人も来なかった。 "Not a single person came to today's meeting." (Total negation = minimum quantity + も + negative)