あまりに
JLPT Level: N3
Meanings
so much that
to such an extent that
too ... to ... (to the point of)
Usage
あまりに + 形容詞/形容動詞/動詞の連用形 + て
あまりに + 形容詞/形容動詞 + だ
あまりにも + 形容詞/副詞 + て ...
Explanation
あまりに is used to express an extreme degree of something, often leading to a noticeable result or reaction. It emphasizes how something is beyond what is ordinary or expected. It usually connects to a consequence with the て-form, showing the cause or reason for the following situation. It can be used with adjectives, na-adjectives in the だ form, or with verbs in their 連用形 (continuative form). In everyday speech, あまりに is common in both spoken and written Japanese, but in very casual conversation you might hear あまり too without the continuation, though 完全な結句は often て-form to show the consequence.
Examples (illustrative sentences):
- あまりに高くて、買えなかった。 (It was too expensive, so I couldn’t buy it.)
- あまりに美しくて、息を呑んだ。 (It was so beautiful that I gasped.)
- あまりに忙しくて、昼ごはんを食べる時間がなかった。 (I was so busy that I didn’t have time to eat lunch.)
- あまりに静かで、誰も話しかけられなかった。 (It was so quiet that no one could speak to anyone.)
- あまりにも忙しすぎて、休む暇がない。 (There’s so much to do that there’s no time to rest.)
あまりに高くて、買えなかった。
あまりにたかくて、かえなかった。
It was so expensive that I couldn't buy it.
あまりに美しくて、息を呑んだ。
あまりにうつくしくて、いきをのんだ。
It was so beautiful that I gasped.
あまりに忙しくて、昼ごはんを食べる時間がなかった。
あまりにいそがしくて、ひるごはんをたべるじかんがなかった。
I was so busy that I had no time to eat lunch.
あまりに静かで、誰も話しかけられなかった。
あまりにしずかで、だれもはなしかけられなかった。
It was so quiet that no one could speak to anyone.
あまりにも忙しすぎて、休む暇がない。
あまりにもいそがしすぎて、やすむひまがない。
There’s so much to do that there’s no time to rest.