Proportional to with 〜ば〜ほど
Grammar: Degree
The form 〜ば〜ほど is used to say that when something is X, to the degree that it is X, it is proportionally Y. It has the meaning of, “If X is the case, then Y is proportional to X.”
Both 〜 are the same word, the first in the conditional form, and the second is in the base form.
The word ほど suggests X as being to a great degree.
Further Reading
- 〜ば〜ほど｜日本語能力試験 JLPT N３ (www.edewakaru.com)
- ば〜ほど (日本語能力試験 N3) (bunpro.jp)
Examples
Proportional to the degree of time passed with 〜ば〜ほど
After a traffic accident sends Hiyori to the hospital, she misses the first few months of the school year. Once she’s finally able to attend, an embarrassing situation occurs, and she runs out of the classroom and hides. Yuushin tracks her down, and Hiyori tells him she should never have come to school.
- ひより:
- 「ケガなんて とっくに治ってたの…」
- “I'd already healed from my injuries.”
- 「たげと… 時間が経てば経つほど教室に入るのがこわくなってーー…」
- “But, the more time passed, the more scary it became to return to class.”
Proportional to the degree of walking to with 〜ば〜ほど
Akari, Aika, and Alice find themselves on a treasure hunt through town, as each map they follow leads them to another map. Aika remarks how Akari is in high spirits.
- 灯里:
- 「えへへーーっ だってさ歩けば歩くほどこの街が大好きになる魔法にかかちゃうみたいでとっても楽しいんだもん」
- “Ehehe, that's because the more we walk, it's like falling under the spell of loving this city. It's very enjoyable!”