あまり

あまり is used with negative forms to mean "not very" or "not much."

Common patterns

• あまり + negative: not very, not much
• In this sense it needs a negative predicate
• あまり好(す)きじゃない: don't really like
• あまり分(わ)からない: don't really understand
• あまり使(つか)わない: don't use much
• あまり食(た)べない: don't eat much

Similar words

• あまり〜ない: not very (soft negation)
• 全然(ぜんぜん)〜ない: not at all (strong negation)
• ほとんど〜ない: hardly, barely

Watch out

• Without a negative, あまり means 'too much, extreme': あまりに(も)高(たか)い (far too expensive), あまりの暑(あつ)さに (because of the extreme heat), あまり食(た)べると太(ふと)る (if you eat too much, you'll gain weight).
• In casual speech, あんまり is also used.