なるべく (naru beku) – Meaning & Usage

なるべく means as much as possible. It is a JLPT N3 grammar pattern used to ask or try to do something to the greatest reasonable extent.

This grammar point often appears in neutral Japanese. If you want to ask or try to do something to the greatest reasonable extent, なるべく is a useful pattern to learn.

What does なるべく mean?

Use なるべく when you want to ask or try to do something to the greatest reasonable extent.

Natural translations include:

as much as possible
if at all possible
wherever possible

How to form なるべく

なるべく + phrase

Examples of the pattern:

なるべく早く
なるべく静かに
なるべく毎日

When is なるべく used?

Use なるべく in situations like:

explaining context clearly
answering JLPT reading questions
making natural Japanese sentences

Tone and register:

neutral
Common in JLPT reading, grammar questions, and natural Japanese sentences

なるべく example sentences

なるべく早(はや)く返事(へんじ)をください。

Please reply as soon as possible.

polite request

なるべく毎日(まいにち)日本語(にほんご)を聞(き)いています。

I try to listen to Japanese every day as much as possible.

habit

なるべく静(しず)かにしてください。

Please be as quiet as possible.

instruction

荷物(にもつ)はなるべく少(すく)なくしたい。

I want to keep my luggage as small as possible.

desire

なるべく分(わ)かりやすく説明(せつめい)します。

I will explain as clearly as possible.

commitment

After reading each sentence, ask what job なるべく is doing: asking or trying to do something to the greatest reasonable extent.

Nuance of なるべく

The key nuance is a practical way to express “as much as possible” with the right level of emphasis.

This matters because なるべく does more than translate one English phrase. It tells the reader how the speaker is framing the situation, whether as emphasis, contrast, obligation, approximation, or evidence.

For example:

In context, it sounds natural when the surrounding sentence supports the nuance.
Compared with できるだけ, it has a different focus and level of formality.

なるべく vs できるだけ

Both なるべく and できるだけ can appear in related situations, but they are different.

なるべく

as much as possible; to the greatest reasonable extent

Fits the specific N3 pattern and nuance of measured, practical effort.

なるべく早(はや)く返事(へんじ)をください。

Please reply as soon as possible.

できるだけ

as much as possible; to the best of one's ability

Very close in meaning, but emphasizes the upper limit of one's ability rather than reasonable practicality.

出来(でき)るだけ早(はや)く返事(へんじ)をください。

Please reply as soon as you can.

Is the sentence a practical request or a push to the maximum?

Common mistakes with なるべく

❌

Using なるべく with the wrong form or attaching it directly to a noun instead of modifying an adjective or adverb phrase.

✅

Use なるべく to modify adjectives and adverbs, such as なるべく早く or なるべく静かに.

❌

Confusing なるべく with できるだけ and using them interchangeably without checking nuance.

✅

Remember that なるべく emphasizes reasonable effort, while できるだけ emphasizes maximum ability.

❌

Translating なるべく too literally in isolation instead of reading the whole sentence for context.

✅

Always read the full sentence to confirm whether なるべく is expressing a practical limit or a polite request.

Is なるべく on the JLPT?

Yes. なるべく is commonly taught as JLPT N3 grammar.

recognize it in reading
understand its nuance in context
use it in simple original sentences

For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions often test whether you understand the surrounding context, not just the dictionary meaning.

Practice questions for なるべく

1 Write one sentence using なるべく to make a polite request. production

2 Contrast なるべく with できるだけ in your own example. comparison

3 Make a JLPT-style sentence with a clear context for なるべく. context

Learning path for なるべく

To learn なるべく efficiently, start with its placement, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in context.

First, make sure you can place なるべく naturally before adjectives and adverbs without looking at the pattern chart.

Next, compare it with できるだけ. These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance of reasonable effort versus maximum ability.

Finally, write sentences where なるべく is necessary; then check whether replacing it with できるだけ changes the feeling of the sentence.

わざと — because it also describes doing something intentionally or on purpose
わざわざ — because it also expresses going out of one’s way to do something
どうしても — because it also conveys strong determination or necessity to do something
ようとする — because it also expresses trying or attempting to do something

Learn なるべく with Hane

If you want to review なるべく together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

FAQ about なるべく

What does なるべく (naru beku) mean in Japanese?

なるべく (naru beku) means “as much as possible”. It is JLPT N3 grammar. Use なるべく when you want to ask or try to do something to the greatest reasonable extent.

How do you form なるべく (naru beku)?