By ProDev Teach | Last updated May 2025
📘 Meaning & Usage
The expression ～あまり(に) is used to express that something happens “to such an excessive degree that it causes a certain result.” This pattern often appears with emotional states, and the outcome is usually negative or unexpected.
Structure:
[Verb (dictionary form)] + あまり[Noun] + のあまり[な-adj] + あまり
Meaning: “So much that ~”, “To the extent that ~”, “Because of too much ~”
🧾 Often used with psychological states (e.g. worry, sadness, anger, joy).
💡 Example Sentences
- うれしさのあまり、彼女は泣き出した。
She was so happy that she started crying. - 緊張のあまり、スピーチの内容を忘れてしまった。
I was so nervous that I forgot the contents of my speech. - 驚きのあまり、声も出なかった。
I was so surprised I couldn’t even speak. - 考えすぎたあまり、夜眠れなかった。
Because I overthought, I couldn’t sleep at night. - 感動のあまり、涙が止まらなかった。
I was so moved that I couldn’t stop crying.
📝 Grammar Notes
- This grammar pattern emphasizes an extreme emotional or mental state.
- The resulting action or situation is often involuntary or unintended.
- Do not use this grammar with positive, neutral or intentional actions (e.g., “worked so hard that I got promoted” would not suit ～あまり).
- Commonly used with: 心配（worry）, 緊張（nervousness）, 怒り（anger）, 驚き（surprise）, 悲しみ（sadness）, 喜び（joy）.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blanks with ～あまり or のあまり
- 緊張＿＿＿、頭が真っ白になった。
- 怒り＿＿＿、彼はテーブルをたたいた。
- 彼は考え＿＿＿、決断できなかった。
✔ Answers:
- のあまり
- のあまり
- すぎたあまり
2. Translate into Japanese using ～あまり(に)
- He was so nervous that he couldn’t say a word.
- Because she was so happy, she cried.
- He was so moved that he couldn’t stop crying.
✔ Sample Answers:
- 緊張のあまり、彼は一言も話せなかった。
- うれしさのあまり、彼女は泣いた。
- 感動のあまり、涙が止まらなかった。
📚 Related Grammar
- ～すぎる: To do too much (basic expression of excess)
- ～ばかりに: Simply because ~ (used when a single cause leads to a negative result)
- ～せいで: Because of ~ (usually negative)
🧠 Summary
- Meaning: So much that ~ / Because of too much ~
- Structure: Verb/Noun/Adjective + あまり
- Used with: Emotional or mental states
- JLPT Level: N1
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.
