あまり

Adverb (Basic ㊦ 72)

The degree of something is not great.

Equivalent: (not) very much; (not) very

この本はあまりよくない・よくありません。: This book is not very good.
鈴木さんはあまり食べない。: Miss Suzuki does not eat much.
私はあまり速く走れません。: I cannot run very fast.

Notes

1. The adverb あまり usually occurs in negative sentences, meaning 'not very (much)'. あまり is one of a group of adverbs which co-occur with negative predicates. They include:

全然 '(not) at all'; 滅多に 'rarely, seldom'; 決して 'never, by no means'; さっぱり '(not) at all; 少しも '(not) a bit'; ちっとも '(not) a bit'.

2. あんまり is a phonological variant of あまり and usually used in conversation.

3. In limited situations, あまり can be used in affirmative sentences, too. In this case, it means 'very; too' with a negative implication. Examples:

a. スコットがあまリ失礼なことを言うのでサリーは怒って帰ってしまった。
Since Scott was very rude (literally: said very rude tilings), Sally got mad and went home.

b. 井上さんはあまリ酒を飲んだので病気になった。
Mr. Inoue drank too much and became ill.

c. それはあんまリです。
You're (literally: That's) too cruel.