Explanation

Used to indicate that something is not done or does not happen often. It can also mean 'not very' or 'not much'.

Personalized Lesson For You!

Key Formation

• あまり + Verb

  あまり話さない (Do not speak very often)

• あまり + Noun + がない

  あまりお金がない (Do not have much money)

Example Sentences

• 彼はあまり日本語を話しません。

  He does not speak Japanese very often.

  かれはあまりにほんごをはなしません。

  Kare wa amari nihongo o hanashimasen.

  Pronunciation

• あまり美味しくないです。

  It's not very tasty.

  あまりおいしくないです。

  Amari oishikunai desu.

  Pronunciation

• 彼はあまりお金を持っていません。

  He does not have much money.

  かれはあまりおかねをもっていません。

  Kare wa amari okane o motte imasen.

  Pronunciation

• あまり雨が降りませんね。

  It does not rain much, does it?

  あまりあめがふりませんね。

  Amari ame ga furimasen ne.

  Pronunciation

• その映画はあまり面白くなかった。

  That movie was not very interesting.

  そのえいがはあまりおもしろくなかった。

  Sono eiga wa amari omoshirokunakatta.

  Pronunciation

Usage Notes

Notes and Tips for JLPT students

Related Grammar, and what's the difference?

• ちょっと (chotto) - (N5)
  - Both あまり (amari) and ちょっと (chotto) indicate a small quantity. However, あまり (amari) implies a negative connotation, often meaning 'not very', while ちょっと (chotto) has a more neutral meaning of 'a little'.
• 全然 (zenzen) - (N4)
  - Both あまり (amari) and 全然 (zenzen) are used to express 'not very', 'not at all'. However, 全然 (zenzen) is stronger and more emphatic compared to あまり (amari).
• とても (totemo) - (N5)
  - あまり (amari) and とても (totemo) are both used as adverbs to express the degree or intensity of something. あまり (amari) suggests 'not very' or 'not much', while とても (totemo) means 'very' or 'extremely'.

Useful Vocabulary that appeared in this page

• * 彼 (かれ)he/himPronunciation
• * 日本語 (にほんご)Japanese languagePronunciation
• * 話す (はなす)to speakPronunciation
• * 美味しい (おいしい)tastyPronunciation
• * お金 (おかね)moneyPronunciation
• * 持つ (もつ)to havePronunciation
• * 雨 (あめ)rainPronunciation
• * 降る (ふる)to fall (rain, snow, etc.)Pronunciation
• * 映画 (えいが)moviePronunciation
• * 面白い (おもしろい)interestingPronunciation

Quiz

Which of the following means 'He does not have much time.'?

• 彼はあまり時間がありません。
• 彼はたくさん時間がありません。
• 彼はあまり時間があります。