In Japanese, both 〜ぐらい and 〜ごろ mean “about/around,” but they are used in different situations.
Here is a clear guide to help you understand the difference.

1. 〜ぐらい（〜くらい）

Meaning: about / approximately
Used for:

• numbers
• amounts
• quantity
• distance
• price
• duration (how long something takes)

You use ぐらい when answering questions like “How much?” or “How long?”

Examples

• りんごを3個こぐらい食たべました。
• → I ate about three apples.
  
• このバッグは5,000円えんぐらいです。
• → This bag costs around 5,000 yen.
  
• 東京とうきょうまで2時間じかんぐらいかかります。
• → It takes about 2 hours to get to Tokyo.
  
• 日本語にほんごを1年ねんぐらい勉強べんきょうしています。
• → I’ve been studying Japanese for about one year.
  

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2. 〜ごろ

Meaning: around (a point in time)
Used for:

• clock time (〜時)
• dates
• months
• years
• morning/afternoon
• specific points in time (not duration)

You use ごろ when answering the question “When?”
Do not use ごろ for duration.

Examples

• 6時じごろ起おきます。
• → I wake up around 6 o’clock.
  
• 明日あした3時じごろ会あいましょう。
• → Let’s meet around 3 PM tomorrow.
  
• 日本にほんには4月しがつごろ桜さくらが咲さきます。
• → Cherry blossoms bloom in Japan around April.
  
• パーティーは7時しちじごろからです。
• → The party starts around 7 PM.

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3. Quick Comparison

Usage	ぐらい	ごろ
Amount / quantity	✔️	✖️
Duration (how long)	✔️	✖️
Specific time (like 5:00)	✖️	✔️
Dates, months, years	✖️	✔️
Meaning	Approximate amount	Approximate point in time

4. Common Mistakes

❌ 5時間じかんごろ → Incorrect (duration)
⭕ 5時間じかんぐらい → Correct

❌ 3キロごろ走はしりました → Incorrect
⭕ 3キロぐらい走はしりました → Correct

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5. Practice Quiz

Rewrite using 〜ぐらい or 〜ごろ (Type your answers in the comment section).

• The train will arrive around 6 PM.
  
• I’ll call you around 9 o’clock.
  
• I slept for about 10 hours.
  
• Let’s meet around Saturday.
  
• I studied for about 30 minutes.
  
• Cherry blossoms bloom around March in my country.
  
• I walked about 5 kilometers today.
  
• I usually eat lunch around 12 PM.
  
• The meeting will start around next Tuesday.
  
• I waited for about 20 minutes.

Understanding the difference between 〜ぐらい and 〜ごろ will help you sound more natural when talking about amounts and time in Japanese. Once you get used to choosing the right one, everyday conversations become much easier. Keep practicing a little every day, and these expressions will soon feel natural!

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