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JLPT N3 · Degree & extent

あまりにも (amari ni mo)

あまりにも — far too ~, excessively

In short · An adverb meaning “far too much / excessively.” It goes before an adjective or verb to show that the degree went past what is acceptable. The result is usually a problem or a strong feeling.
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Pattern

  • あまりにも + 形容詞/動詞 あまりにも + adjective (あまりにも高い) + result
  • あまりにも + 〜くて/〜ので、~ followed by a result with て or ので

Excess with a result

あまりにも points out that something was too much, and the second half shows what followed: 高すぎて買えなかった. It often carries a negative or surprised feeling about the excess.

Compared with あまりの

あまりの+noun+に (previous lesson) uses a noun, while あまりにも goes straight before an adjective or verb. The two express a similar idea, and both can sound emotional.

Examples

  • あまりにも高(たか)かったので、買(か)えませんでした。

    Amari ni mo takakatta no de, kaemasen deshita.

    It was too expensive, so I couldn't buy it.

  • あまりにも忙(いそが)しくて、昼(ひる)ご飯(はん)を食(た)べる時間(じかん)もなかった。

    Amari ni mo isogashikute, hirugohan o taberu jikan mo nakatta.

    I was far too busy to even have time to eat lunch.

  • その映画(えいが)はあまりにも悲(かな)しくて、涙(なみだ)が止(と)まらなかった。

    Sono eiga wa amari ni mo kanashikute, namida ga tomaranakatta.

    The movie was so terribly sad that I couldn't stop crying.

Common mistakes

  • Do not use it with a negative to mean “not very” (that is あまり~ない). あまりにも means “far too”.
  • It suggests an excess. For plain, positive praise, use とても.

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