What it means
およそ emphasizes a strong total judgment, most often in the pattern およそ～ない. With a negative predicate, it means “not at all,” “by no means,” or “entirely not,” and is stronger and more formal than a simple negative statement. It commonly evaluates whether something is believable, correct, appropriate, or possible. The construction is especially frequent in formal writing, analytical prose, and serious speech.
Usage note
およそ also has a separate meaning of “approximately” when it appears with a number, amount, or time, as in およそ三時間. Do not confuse that numerical use with the emphatic negative pattern shown here.
How to use it
その結果は、およそ偶然ではありません。
That result is not at all accidental.
その説明は、およそ妥当ではありません。
That explanation is not at all reasonable.
その判断は、およそ正しくありません。
That judgment is not at all correct.
その説明は、およそ信じられません。
That explanation is not at all believable.
その結果は、およそ偶然ではない。
That result is not at all accidental.
その説明は、およそ妥当ではない。
That explanation is not at all reasonable.
その判断は、およそ正しくない。
That judgment is not at all correct.
その説明は、およそ信じられない。
That explanation is not at all believable.
Example sentences
その説明はおよそ科学的ではなく、証拠に基づいた議論とは言えない。
That explanation is not at all scientific, and it cannot be called an argument based on evidence.
審査の基準を無視した申請は、およそ認められません。
An application that ignores the screening criteria cannot possibly be approved.
この複雑な現象は、現在の