particle N3 uncommon writtenpolite
〔数量〕は — は after a quantity: at least
〔数量〕は
Meaning
- at least ~ (that much) — placing は after a number/amount sets it as a confident lower bound, implying possibly more
Key sentence
その仕事は、一週間はかかるだろう。
That job will take at least a week.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity / amount expression + は | [数量] + は + predicate | 千人は / 三年は |
Examples
会場には千人は集まった。
At least a thousand people gathered at the venue.
完成までに、あと三年はかかる。
It'll take at least another three years to finish.
When you can't use it
- This 'at least' reading comes from は on an affirmative quantity — it sets a floor ('this much, maybe more'). Don't confuse it with は on a quantity in a negative sentence (全部は〜ない), which gives partial negation ('not all').
Easily confused with
See 〔数量〕は in real sentences
Jengo shows 〔数量〕は the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled from published Japanese grammar references.