あまり

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. あまり食べない。▶ —
   I do not eat much.
2. あまり高くない。▶ —
   Not very expensive.

Collocations

Mnemonic

あまり amari — "not much," an adverb that reaches its hand only to negative sentences. It shows its grain only in the pair あまり + ない — あまり寒くない, not very cold. In casual speech it loosens once more into あんまり. Written in kanji it is 余り — the "remainder" left after all is used, the other face of shortfall. With 全然, それほど, and そんなに it is one household of Japanese negation-emphasis.

Quick check

1. Amari restriction?

   • Negative-only (amari plus nai)
   • Affirmative only
   • Both
   • No restriction