Meaning & usage
あまり is an adverb used with negative verbs and adjectives to soften them, meaning the action or state happens only to a small degree, as in あまり見えない or あまりものを食べない. It can also follow a noun with の (うれしさのあまり) to mean something happens because of excess of that feeling.
Example sentences 8
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あまり見えない。
I see it rarely.
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木はうれしさのあまりほとんど口がきけませんでした。
The tree was so happy she could hardly speak.
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すっぴんは恥ずかしいのであまり見ないで下さい。
It's embarrassing to be seen without make-up so please don't stare.
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彼女はふつうあまりものを食べない。
In general, she doesn't eat very much.
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彼女にはあまり友人がいないようだ。
She appears to have few friends.
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彼女はあまりお金はもっていない。
She does not have much money.
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彼女はあまり外出しません。
She doesn't get outdoors much.
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あまり食べ過ぎるな。
Don't eat too much.