ほとんど
Almost all, or hardly anything
You'll be able to describe amounts that are nearly complete, and use negative verbs to say something hardly ever happens.
宿題はほとんど終わりました。
shukudai wa hotondo owarimashita.
What do you think this sentence means?
My homework is almost finished.
Describe almost all or almost none
ほとんど with an affirmative predicate means almost all or nearly complete. With a negative predicate, it means hardly any or almost never. The polarity changes the overall meaning.
最近はほとんど外食しません。
saikin wa hotondo gaishoku shimasen.
I hardly ever eat out these days.
Form and use ほとんど
ほとんど終わった leaves only a little unfinished. ほとんど食べない allows very little eating. It is not identical to 全部 or 全然, which can express complete totals or denial.
最近はほとんど外食しません。
saikin wa hotondo gaishoku shimasen.
I hardly ever eat out these days.
ほとんどの人が帰りました。
hotondo no hito ga kaerimashita.
Almost everyone has gone home.
引っ越しの準備はほとんど終わりました。
hikkoshi no junbi wa hotondo owarimashita.
I've almost finished getting ready for the move.
週末はほとんど家にいます。
shuumatsu wa hotondo ie ni imasu.
On weekends, I'm at home almost all the time.
最近はほとんどテレビを見ません。
saikin wa hotondo terebi o mimasen.
I hardly watch TV these days.
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