Yuka出来るだけ and なるべく both mean “as much as possible” — but is one stronger than the other? Native speakers do feel a difference!
ReiBoth mean “as much as possible,” but 出来るだけ (dekirudake) implies doing the maximum you are capable of, while なるべく (narubeku) is softer — more like “if possible” or “preferably.”
| 出来るだけ (dekirudake) | なるべく (narubeku) | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | As much as possible (to the limit of ability) | As much as possible (if possible / preferably) |
| Strength | Stronger commitment | Softer, more flexible |
| Nuance | Doing your best / maximum effort | Making an effort but with room for exception |
| Example | 出来るだけ早く来てください。 | なるべく早く来てください。 |
出来るだけ — Maximum Effort
出来るだけ literally means “as much as one is able to.” 出来る (dekiru) means “can / is possible,” and だけ means “as much as.” It implies you are stretching to the limit of your ability.
- 出来るだけ早く返事します。— I’ll reply as soon as I possibly can.
- 出来るだけ正確に書いてください。— Please write as accurately as possible.
- 出来るだけのことはやった。— I did everything I possibly could.
なるべく — Preferably, If Possible
なるべく also means “as much as possible,” but it has a softer, more flexible nuance — closer to “ideally” or “if you can.” It leaves room for situations where it isn’t possible.
- なるべく早く来てください。— Please come as early as you can (if possible).
- なるべく野菜を食べるようにしています。— I try to eat vegetables as much as possible.
- なるべくお金を使わないようにする。— I try not to spend money if I can help it.
Nuance Comparison
| Sentence | Feel |
|---|---|
| 出来るだけ頑張ります。 | I will do my absolute best. |
| なるべく頑張ります。 | I’ll try my best (but no hard promises). |
| 出来るだけ静かにしてください。 | Please be as quiet as you possibly can. |
| なるべく静かにしてください。 | Please try to be quiet (when you can). |
Common Mistakes for English Speakers
Both translate as “as much as possible” in English, so learners often treat them as identical. In practice, 出来るだけ is a stronger commitment. In business or formal requests, 出来るだけ conveys more urgency. なるべく is softer and more polite for requests where you don’t want to pressure the listener.
Quick Quiz
Which phrase sounds like a stronger request: 出来るだけ急いでください or なるべく急いでください?
Answer: 出来るだけ急いでください — it implies the maximum urgency possible.
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