Hello, I’m Kodak.
When Japanese learners study words meaning “very”, they often learn とても, すごく, and めっちゃ first.
Then they hear sentences such as:
この問題はかなり難しい。
Kono mondai wa kanari muzukashii.
This problem is quite difficult.
駅までかなり歩いた。
Eki made kanari aruita.
We walked quite a long way to the station.
It often means that something has reached a level noticeably above the normal standard or above what was expected.
Natural English translations include “quite,” “considerably,” “fairly,” “rather,” and sometimes “very.”
かなり (kanari)
⇒ quite
⇒ considerably
⇒ fairly
⇒ rather
⇒ to a significant degree
It often evaluates something as clearly above an ordinary level, without necessarily sounding as emotional as すごく or めっちゃ.
① what かなり (kanari) means
② its core image of exceeding an ordinary standard
③ how to pronounce and write it
④ how to use it with adjectives, verbs, nouns, quantities, and time
⑤ why it often sounds more measured or assessment-based than めっちゃ
⑥ how it differs from とても, すごく, めっちゃ, だいぶ, and 相当
⑦ useful patterns such as かなりの＋noun and かなり前
⑧ its origin from the older expression 可なり
⑨ natural examples for conversation, news, work, anime, and online Japanese
What Does かなり (Kanari) Mean in Japanese?
かなり expresses a degree or amount that is noticeably higher than ordinary, expected, or initially assumed.
⇒ quite
⇒ considerably
⇒ fairly
⇒ rather
⇒ significantly
⇒ very, depending on context
今日はかなり暑い。
Kyō wa kanari atsui.
It is quite hot today.
彼は日本語がかなり上手だ。
Kare wa Nihongo ga kanari jōzu da.
His Japanese is quite good.
修理にはかなりお金がかかった。
Shūri ni wa kanari okane ga kakatta.
The repairs cost a considerable amount of money.
Dictionaries describe it as exceeding an ordinary level without necessarily reaching an absolute extreme.
However, tone and context can still make かなり describe something serious or very strong.
It is quite cold.
⇒ clearly colder than normal or expected
かなり危険だ。
It is considerably dangerous.
⇒ the danger is serious enough to notice and act on
かなり怒っている。
They are pretty angry.
⇒ the anger has reached a substantial level
The Core Image of かなり: Clearly Above the Expected Standard
The easiest way to understand かなり is to imagine a normal reference line.
not much / not very
↓
Normal range
ordinary / expected
↓
かなり
clearly and noticeably above the normal or expected level
↓
Extreme end
非常に / 極めて, depending on context
“Compared with the normal level, this is noticeably high.”
That is why かなり often works well with measurable ideas such as price, distance, time, progress, skill, risk, and quantity.
It is better to say that かなり often sounds more measured, comparative, or assessment-based than strongly emotional words such as めっちゃ.
How to Pronounce かなり
Romaji: kanari
Morae: か・な・り
Approximate rhythm: ka-na-ri
Pronounce all three morae clearly. Avoid heavily stressing one syllable as you might in English.
か・な・り
Do not add the English-style final long “ee” or strong stress pattern.
How Is かなり Written?
Possible kanji spellings: 可成り / 可也
Katakana for special emphasis: カナリ
Recommended for learners: かなり
Modern Japanese normally writes the word in hiragana. The kanji spellings may appear in older literature, dictionaries, or stylized writing, but they are uncommon in everyday text.
For daily Japanese, memorize the whole adverb かなり and its core idea of reaching a considerable level.
How to Use かなり
1. かなり + I-Adjective
⇒ quite / considerably + adjective
この坂はかなり急だ。
Kono saka wa kanari kyū da.
This slope is quite steep.
今日の試験はかなり難しかった。
Kyō no shiken wa kanari muzukashikatta.
Today’s exam was quite difficult.
このパソコンはかなり高い。
Kono pasokon wa kanari takai.
This computer is fairly expensive.
2. かなり + Na-Adjective
この地域は夜になるとかなり静かだ。
Kono chiiki wa yoru ni naru to kanari shizuka da.
This area becomes quite quiet at night.
その作業はかなり複雑です。
Sono sagyō wa kanari fukuzatsu desu.
That task is considerably complicated.
新しい方法はかなり効果的だった。
Atarashii hōhō wa kanari kōkateki datta.
The new method was quite effective.
The な belongs to the na-adjective when that adjective modifies a noun:
かなり複雑な問題
a considerably complicated problem
3. かなり + Verb
かなり can modify actions when the amount, progress, skill, frequency, or intensity is substantial.
昨日はかなり歩いた。
Kinō wa kanari aruita.
I walked quite a lot yesterday.
準備はかなり進んでいる。
Junbi wa kanari susunde iru.
The preparations have progressed considerably.
彼は英語をかなり話せる。
Kare wa Eigo o kanari hanaseru.
He can speak English quite well.
最近、生活がかなり変わった。
Saikin, seikatsu ga kanari kawatta.
My life has changed considerably recently.
かなり歩いた
⇒ walked quite a lot
⇒ walked a considerable distance
Do not force the English word “very” into every sentence.
4. かなりの + Noun
Use かなりの before a noun to express a considerable amount, number, distance, level, or impact.
⇒ a considerable / significant + noun
修理にはかなりの費用がかかる。
Shūri ni wa kanari no hiyō ga kakaru.
The repairs will cost a considerable amount.
会場にはかなりの人数が集まった。
Kaijō ni wa kanari no ninzū ga atsumatta.
A considerable number of people gathered at the venue.
駅からホテルまではかなりの距離がある。
Eki kara hoteru made wa kanari no kyori ga aru.
There is a considerable distance from the station to the hotel.
今回の変更はかなりの影響を与えるだろう。
Konkai no henkō wa kanari no eikyō o ataeru darō.
This change will probably have a significant impact.
You will also hear combinations such as かなり大きな問題, where かなり modifies the adjective 大きな.
かなり + Time Expressions
かなり is very common with words describing time and duration.
quite a long time ago
かなり後
considerably later
かなり長い間
for quite a long time
かなり早く
considerably early / much earlier
かなり遅く
considerably late
その映画はかなり前に見た。
Sono eiga wa kanari mae ni mita.
I saw that movie quite a long time ago.
彼とはかなり長い間会っていない。
Kare to wa kanari nagai aida atte inai.
I have not seen him for quite a long time.
予定よりかなり早く着いた。
Yotei yori kanari hayaku tsuita.
I arrived considerably earlier than planned.
The core idea is still comparison: the event is noticeably farther in the past than a normal or recent time.
かなり + Quantity, Price, Distance, and Progress
This is one of the areas where かなり feels especially natural.
considerably expensive / high
かなり多い
considerably numerous
かなり遠い
quite far
かなり改善した
improved considerably
かなり減った
decreased considerably
かなり増えた
increased considerably
去年より売上がかなり増えた。
Kyonen yori uriage ga kanari fueta.
Sales increased considerably compared with last year.
薬を飲んで、痛みがかなり減った。
Kusuri o nonde, itami ga kanari hetta.
The pain decreased considerably after I took the medicine.
ここから空港まではかなり遠い。
Koko kara kūkō made wa kanari tōi.
The airport is quite far from here.
What Does かなりできる Mean?
The expression かなりできる often means that someone’s ability is well above average.
He is quite capable.
He is pretty good.
彼女は数学がかなりできる。
She is quite good at math.
新人だけど、かなりできる人だ。
They are new, but they are a highly capable person.
The person’s ability is noticeably above the ordinary level.
Context tells us whether the skill is general or connected to a specific field.
Can かなり Be Used in Positive and Negative Sentences?
Yes. かなり can strengthen positive, negative, and neutral descriptions.
かなり良くなった。
It has improved considerably.
Negative evaluation:
かなり危険だ。
It is considerably dangerous.
Neutral measurement:
かなり距離がある。
There is quite a distance.
Negative grammar:
まだかなり残っている。
A considerable amount still remains.
However, speakers may choose the more direct かなり悪い when they want to avoid ambiguity.
How Formal Is かなり?
かなり is not slang. It is common in both conversation and ordinary writing.
・everyday conversation
・polite conversation
・news explanations
・workplace discussion
・personal and business emails
・reports with a moderate degree of formality
・descriptions of measurable changes
In highly technical or legal writing, writers may prefer a more precise number or terms such as 大幅に, 著しく, or 相当程度, depending on the intended meaning.
For example, 作業はかなり進んでいます is natural in a workplace update.
Just remember that かなり is still an approximate evaluation, so use exact figures when precision matters.
かなり vs とても: What Is the Difference?
Both can describe a high degree, but they organize the information differently.
Directly says the degree is high
Neutral and broad
Often translates as “very”
かなり (kanari)
Suggests the degree is noticeably above a standard or expectation
Often sounds comparative or assessment-based
Often translates as “quite” or “considerably”
この仕事はとても難しい。
This job is very difficult.
⇒ Direct evaluation of a high degree.
この仕事はかなり難しい。
This job is quite difficult.
⇒ The difficulty is clearly above what might be ordinary or expected.
Some dictionary explanations place かなり below words such as 非常に and とても on a simple degree scale. In actual speech, however, かなり can sound serious because it emphasizes that the level has crossed a meaningful standard.
かなり vs すごく: What Is the Difference?
Conversational and expressive
Often reflects the speaker’s immediate feeling
Natural for praise, surprise, excitement, and complaint
かなり
More measured and comparative
Often evaluates distance from a standard or expectation
Natural for progress, price, ability, amount, and risk
この映画、すごく面白い！
Kono eiga, sugoku omoshiroi!
This movie is really interesting!
この映画は前作よりかなり面白い。
Kono eiga wa zensaku yori kanari omoshiroi.
This movie is considerably more interesting than the previous one.
The comparison describes the usual tendency, not a rule that blocks emotional use.
かなり vs めっちゃ: What Is the Difference?
quite / considerably
neutral and usable in work or writing
often suggests comparison with a standard
めっちゃ
really / super / so
casual, lively, and emotionally expressive
has Kansai roots but is now widespread
It is quite far from the station.
⇒ Measured assessment of distance.
駅からめっちゃ遠い！
It is super far from the station!
⇒ Personal complaint or surprised reaction.
かなり sounds like an assessment.
めっちゃ sounds like a reaction.
Learn more: What Does めっちゃ (Meccha) Mean in Japanese?
かなり vs だいぶ: What Is the Difference?
かなり and だいぶ overlap in many sentences, but だいぶ often fits changes and progress over time especially well.
Focus: the current level is considerably above or away from a standard
だいぶ
Focus: a state has changed or progressed a good deal from an earlier point
The illness is quite serious.
⇒ Assessment of the current level.
病気はだいぶ良くなった。
The illness has gotten much better.
⇒ Focus on improvement from an earlier state.
部屋はかなりきれいだ。
The room is quite clean.
⇒ Current assessment.
部屋はだいぶ片付いた。
The room has been cleaned up quite a bit.
⇒ Progress toward completion.
Choose だいぶ when the movement from “before” to “now” is central. Choose かなり when the current level itself is the main assessment.
かなり vs 相当: What Is the Difference?
Both can mean “considerably” or “to a substantial degree.”
Softer and more common in everyday speech
Measured but conversational
相当
Often feels stronger, heavier, or more serious
Can carry surprise, concern, or emphasis
Also has separate meanings such as “equivalent” and “appropriate to”
彼はかなり疲れている。
Kare wa kanari tsukarete iru.
He is quite tired.
彼は相当疲れている。
Kare wa sōtō tsukarete iru.
He is seriously tired.
The safest difference for learners is that かなり is softer and more everyday, while 相当 can sound heavier.
かなり vs 非常に: What Is the Difference?
quite / considerably
neutral and common in speech
often relative to a standard
非常に
very / extremely
more formal and written
directly marks a high degree
The situation is quite severe.
⇒ Measured but serious assessment.
状況は非常に厳しい。
The situation is extremely severe.
⇒ Stronger and more formal statement.
A Beginner Decision Guide
⇒ とても
You want “quite / considerably,” compared with a normal level
⇒ かなり
You want an emotional conversational “really”
⇒ すごく
You want a lively casual “super”
⇒ めっちゃ or 超
You want to emphasize change from an earlier state
⇒ だいぶ
You want a heavier “considerably / seriously”
⇒ 相当
You need formal “extremely”
⇒ 非常に or 極めて
How かなり Changes the Nuance in the Same Situation
Situation 1: A Difficult Exam
The exam was very difficult.
⇒ Direct high-degree statement.
試験はかなり難しかった。
The exam was quite difficult.
⇒ Harder than an ordinary or expected exam.
試験、めっちゃ難しかった！
The exam was super hard!
⇒ Emotional complaint to a friend.
Situation 2: A Skilled Speaker
His Japanese is very good.
⇒ Direct praise.
彼は日本語がかなり上手だ。
His Japanese is quite good.
⇒ His ability is noticeably above average or expectation.
彼、日本語めっちゃ上手！
His Japanese is super good!
⇒ Friendly, impressed reaction.
Situation 3: Project Progress
The preparations have progressed considerably.
⇒ Current progress is substantial.
準備はだいぶ進みました。
The preparations have come a long way.
⇒ Change from the earlier state is emphasized.
準備は非常に順調です。
The preparations are progressing extremely smoothly.
⇒ Formal evaluation.
Situation 4: A High Price
This watch is quite expensive.
⇒ Price is clearly above the ordinary range.
この時計、すごく高い。
This watch is really expensive.
⇒ Speaker reacts strongly to the price.
この時計、めっちゃ高い！
This watch is super expensive!
⇒ Strong casual reaction.
かなり often frames the fact as a substantial departure from a reference point.
かなり in News, Reports, and Workplace Japanese
Because かなり can sound measured rather than slangy, it appears naturally in explanations and workplace updates.
Sales increased considerably from the previous year.
復旧にはかなり時間がかかる見込みです。
Restoration is expected to take a considerable amount of time.
交渉はかなり進んでいます。
The negotiations have progressed considerably.
現在の状況はかなり厳しいです。
The current situation is quite severe.
If a report requires precision, write the actual number or percentage. かなり still depends on a human judgment about what counts as “considerable.”
かなり in Anime, Manga, and Casual Dialogue
かなり is less slangy than めっちゃ, but it appears naturally in character dialogue.
That guy is pretty strong.
状況はかなりまずい。
The situation is pretty bad.
敵はかなり近くまで来ている。
The enemy has come quite close.
これはかなり使える。
This is quite useful.
君、かなりやるね。
You are pretty good.
かなりやる means “be quite capable,” “be pretty impressive,” or “be better than expected.”
Common Collocations with かなり
quite expensive / high
かなり難しい
quite difficult
かなり多い
considerably numerous
かなり遠い
quite far
かなり前
quite a long time ago
かなり長い
considerably long
かなり進んでいる
has progressed considerably
かなり改善した
improved considerably
かなりできる
quite capable
かなりの金額
a considerable sum of money
かなりの人数
a considerable number of people
かなりの影響
a significant impact
Natural Example Sentences with かなり
今日は昨日よりかなり寒い。
Kyō wa kinō yori kanari samui.
It is considerably colder today than yesterday.
この店は駅からかなり遠い。
Kono mise wa eki kara kanari tōi.
This restaurant is quite far from the station.
彼の説明はかなり分かりやすかった。
Kare no setsumei wa kanari wakariyasukatta.
His explanation was quite easy to understand.
この仕事にはかなり経験が必要だ。
Kono shigoto ni wa kanari keiken ga hitsuyō da.
This job requires considerable experience.
予定よりかなり遅れている。
Yotei yori kanari okurete iru.
We are considerably behind schedule.
風がかなり強くなってきた。
Kaze ga kanari tsuyoku natte kita.
The wind has become quite strong.
彼女はこの分野についてかなり詳しい。
Kanojo wa kono bun’ya ni tsuite kanari kuwashii.
She knows quite a lot about this field.
問題の原因はかなり複雑だ。
Mondai no gen’in wa kanari fukuzatsu da.
The cause of the problem is considerably complicated.
ここまで来るのにかなり時間がかかった。
Koko made kuru no ni kanari jikan ga kakatta.
It took quite a long time to get here.
新しい薬で症状がかなり改善した。
Atarashii kusuri de shōjō ga kanari kaizen shita.
The symptoms improved considerably with the new medicine.
会議にはかなりの人数が参加した。
Kaigi ni wa kanari no ninzū ga sanka shita.
A considerable number of people attended the meeting.
彼は初心者にしてはかなり上手だ。
Kare wa shoshinsha ni shite wa kanari jōzu da.
He is quite good for a beginner.
この計画はかなり現実的だと思う。
Kono keikaku wa kanari genjitsuteki da to omou.
I think this plan is fairly realistic.
その話はかなり前に聞いた。
Sono hanashi wa kanari mae ni kiita.
I heard that story quite a long time ago.
Common Beginner Mistakes with かなり
Mistake 1: Translating It as “Very” Every Time
I walked quite a lot.
Not: “I walked very.”
かなり前。
quite a long time ago
Not: “very before.”
Mistake 2: Calling It Completely Objective
かなり often sounds measured, but the speaker still chooses the standard and evaluates the degree.
Mistake 3: Using かなりです Alone
Usually incomplete.
○ かなり高いです。
It is quite expensive.
○ かなり進んでいます。
It has progressed considerably.
Mistake 4: Forgetting の Before a Noun
○ かなりの人数
a considerable number of people
× かなり距離
○ かなりの距離
a considerable distance
Mistake 5: Assuming It Is Always Weaker Than とても
A sentence such as かなり危険だ can communicate serious concern because the danger has crossed a meaningful threshold.
Mistake 6: Confusing かなり with かなり前 Only as a Fixed Phrase
The same degree principle works across many combinations: かなり後, かなり遠い, かなり進んだ, and かなりの金額.
The Origin and Etymology of かなり
Dictionaries trace かなり to the older expression 可なり, formed from 可 in the sense of accepting or judging something as allowable, plus the classical copula なり.
The older adjectival meaning described something that was not perfect but had reached an acceptable or sufficient level. From there, the word developed the modern meaning of reaching a substantial or above-average degree.
可なり
acceptable / recognized as sufficient
↓
一応の水準に達している
has reached a certain acceptable level
↓
相当の程度に達している
has reached a considerable level
↓
Modern かなり
quite / considerably / noticeably above normal or expectation
This development helps explain why modern かなり feels like a judgment that a certain threshold has been passed.
Historical Examples of かなり
Nihon Kokugo Daijiten records an adjectival example from 1859 and an adverbial example from Natsume Sōseki’s Botchan, published in 1906.
A thing has reached an acceptable or considerable condition.
Modern-style adverbial use
かなり + action or quality
⇒ to a considerable degree
FAQ About かなり
What does kanari mean in Japanese?
かなり (kanari) means “quite,” “considerably,” “fairly,” “rather,” or “to a significant degree.” It often suggests that something is noticeably above an ordinary or expected level.
Is かなり the same as “very”?
Sometimes, but “quite” or “considerably” often captures its comparative and assessment-based nuance better than a simple “very.”
Is かなり formal?
It is neutral rather than highly formal. It is natural in conversation, workplace Japanese, emails, news explanations, and ordinary writing.
Is かなり objective?
It often sounds more measured than expressive intensifiers such as めっちゃ, but it still reflects the speaker’s chosen standard and judgment.
What is the difference between かなり and とても?
とても directly marks a high degree. かなり often suggests that the degree is noticeably above a standard or expectation.
What is the difference between かなり and めっちゃ?
かなり is neutral and assessment-based, while めっちゃ is casual, lively, and emotionally expressive.
What is the difference between かなり and だいぶ?
かなり often evaluates the current degree. だいぶ often emphasizes change or progress from an earlier state.
What is the difference between かなり and 相当?
They overlap, but かなり is usually softer and more everyday. 相当 can sound heavier, stronger, or more serious.
Can かなり modify a verb?
Yes. Natural examples include かなり歩いた, かなり進んだ, かなり改善した, and かなり話せる.
How do you use かなり before a noun?
Use かなりの＋noun, as in かなりの人数, かなりの金額, and かなりの距離.
What does かなり前 mean?
It means “quite a long time ago.” The expression places the event a considerable distance back from the present.
Can I say かなりです?
Usually not by itself. Add the word or phrase whose degree is being evaluated, such as かなり高いです or かなり進んでいます.
How is かなり written in kanji?
The spellings 可成り and 可也 exist, but normal modern Japanese usually writes the word in hiragana as かなり.
What is the origin of かなり?
It developed from 可なり, an older expression connected with judging something acceptable or sufficient. The meaning later expanded to a considerable or above-average degree.
Related Japanese Degree Words
very; neutral and broad
すごく (sugoku)
really; conversational and expressive
めっちゃ (meccha)
super / so; casual expression with Kansai roots
超 (chō)
super; short, punchy, and casual
だいぶ (daibu)
quite a lot; often highlights change or progress
相当 (sōtō)
considerably / seriously; often heavier than かなり
非常に (hijō ni)
very / extremely; formal and written
極めて (kiwamete)
extremely; analytical and highly formal
大幅に (ōhaba ni)
substantially / by a large margin; useful for measurable change
とても ⇒ neutral “very”
かなり ⇒ comparative “quite / considerably”
すごく ⇒ conversational “really”
めっちゃ ⇒ lively casual “super”
非常に ⇒ formal “extremely”
Summary: The Meaning and Usage of かなり
かなり means “quite,” “considerably,” “fairly,” “rather,” or “to a significant degree.”
● Core image
The degree, amount, or progress is clearly above an ordinary standard or expectation.
● Objectivity
It often sounds measured or assessment-based, but it still reflects the speaker’s judgment.
● Grammar
かなり can modify adjectives and verbs. Use かなりの＋noun before nouns.
● Common areas
Price, quantity, distance, time, progress, skill, risk, and change.
● Formality
It is neutral and natural in both conversation and ordinary writing. It is not slang.
● Comparison
とても = direct neutral “very”
すごく = expressive conversational “really”
めっちゃ = lively casual “super”
だいぶ = change or progress from an earlier state
相当 = heavier or stronger “considerably”
● Origin
かなり developed from the older 可なり, connected with reaching an acceptable or sufficient level, and later came to express a considerable degree.
The speaker looks at the price, distance, skill, progress, or difficulty and decides:
“This has gone noticeably beyond the ordinary level.”
That comparison-based image will help you distinguish かなり from more emotional intensifiers.
References
- Kotobank: 可成り — meanings, grammatical categories, origin from 可なり, historical examples, and comparison with だいぶ.
- goo Dictionary / Digital Daijisen: かなり — modern meaning, usage patterns, and distinctions from だいぶ and 相当.
- goo Thesaurus: かなり／相当 — shared meaning and stylistic differences.
- goo Dictionary: 相当 — degree use and other meanings such as equivalence and appropriateness.