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Both 未満 and 以下 are used to describe “less than” or “under,” but they differ in whether they include the number they are referencing.
This can be confusing.
未満
means “less than” or “under” but does not include the number. It’s used when you want to say something is strictly less than a certain number, without including that number.
以下
means “less than or equal to” or “under” and includes the number you’re referencing. It’s used when you want to include the maximum number in your range.
But before we look closer at those two words, let’s compare 以下 with its opposite 以上.
以上
means “more than or equal to”
以下
means “less than or equal to”
If we think of 以 as being the number or value in question and we either go up 上 or down 下 from there, it should be fairly easy to grasp.
18歳以上
means "18 years old or older."
18歳以下
means "18 years old or younger."
Both of the above includes people who are 18 years old.
But what if we want to exclude 18-year-olds? For example, a restaurant has a discount for kids under 18, but the discount isn’t for 18-year-olds.
That’s where 未満 comes in. This means “less than” just like 以下 except it doesn’t include the number or value in question.
Take a look at the graph above.
The concept isn’t difficult to grasp, but it may take a bit of practice to internalize. Let’s do just that.
この映画は12歳未満は見られません。
Children under 12 years old cannot watch this movie.
(未満 so it doesn’t include 12 year olds)
Vocabulary
この映画は12歳以下が無料です。
Kids who are 12 years old or younger can watch the movie for free.
(以下 so it includes age 12)
Vocabulary
送料は500円未満の購入の場合、別料金です。
Shipping is extra for purchases less than 500 yen.
(未満 therefore 500 yen would not incur the fee)
Vocabulary
この商品は500円以下で買えます。
You can buy this item for 500 yen or less.
(以下 so it includes 500 yen)
Vocabulary
Simple Summary:
• 未満 = Less than, but not including the number.
• 以下 = Less than or equal to, and includes the number.
Fun Phrase:
Lastly, let's wrap things up with a fun phrase. Do you know what this might mean?
友達以上恋人未満
This means “More than friends, but less than lovers.”
It uses 以上 to show they are friends and even more than friends (友達) but then 未満 shows they are not quite at the level of lovers (恋人).
Here's an example sentence:
彼らは友達以上恋人未満の関係です。
They have a relationship that’s more than just friends but not quite lovers.
Makoto+ Members, click here to download all the sound files and an Anki flashcard deck just for this lesson. Practice makes perfect!
