Japanese grammar
What does ～あまり（に） mean? Japanese grammar N2
～あまり（に） means because of too much… (leading to an unusual result).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N2 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Vた／Vる + あまり Nの + あまり な形 + な + あまり |
| Romaji | amari(ni) |
| Meaning | because of too much… (leading to an unusual result) |
Forming it
| Noun | 緊張 → 緊張のあまり |
|---|---|
| Verb | 心配した → 心配したあまり |
| na-adjective | 心配 → 心配なあまり |
How to use it
An emotion or degree so intense that it produces an unusual result, mostly negative.
- 「～あまり」 = because... too much: 「緊張のあまり、声が出なかった」. The second clause is a result that EXCEEDS the normal degree.
- A noun MUST connect with 「の」: 「うれしさのあまり」「驚きのあまり」 — the catalog's note about connecting to the masu-stem is wrong.
- The first clause is usually an emotion noun (緊張・喜び・驚き・心配) or a verb describing a mental state.
Examples
緊張のあまり、うまく話せなかった。
I was so nervous that I could not speak well.
彼女はうれしさのあまり、泣き出してしまった。
She was so happy that she burst into tears.
Keep in mind
- A noun connects with 「の」, not directly.
- The following clause is an unusual result, usually negative.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong緊張あまり、話せなかった。
Because I was so nervous, I couldn't speak.
Correct緊張のあまり、話せなかった。
A noun must connect via 「の」.
-
Wrong疲れすぎたあまり、よく眠れた。
Because I was so tired, I slept soundly until morning.
Correct疲れすぎて、朝までぐっすり眠ってしまった。
「あまり」 is not used for a normal/positive result.
Exam tips
- 「あまり」 = because... too much (an unusual result); N + の.