Cause and reason

～あまり(に)

so much that; too ... and as a result

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How to form it

  • Verb (dictionary form) + あまり(に)
  • Noun + の + あまり(に)
  • な-adjective stem + なあまり

Register: Neutral to formal

Explanation

Says that a feeling or state was so strong that it led to an unusual or extreme result.

The first part is usually an emotion such as joy, worry or surprise. The result is not planned: tears, silence, illness.

Examples

  1. 嬉しさのあまり、涙が出た。

    うれしさのあまり、なみだがでた。

    I was so happy that I cried.

  2. 心配するあまり、病気になってしまった。

    しんぱいするあまり、びょうきになってしまった。

    He worried so much that he became ill.

  3. 驚きのあまり、声が出なかった。

    おどろきのあまり、こえがでなかった。

    I was so surprised that I couldn't speak.

Compare with

  • ～ほど: ほど measures the degree of something; あまり describes an extreme result of a feeling.

Common mistakes

  • Using it with a positive, intended result. The result is usually unusual or unwanted.