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JLPT N4 · Degree & extent

あまり～ない (amari~nai)

あまり～ない — “not very ～ / not much”

In short · あまり used with a negative means ‘not very ～’ or ‘not so often’. It softly denies the degree or frequency. It goes before a negative adjective or verb, and it is a gentler way of saying no than a flat negative.
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Pattern

  • あまり＋い形容詞くない／な形容詞ではない あまり + negative adjective (面白くない, 好きではない)
  • あまり＋動詞ない形 あまり + negative verb (行かない)

Structure

Place あまり before a negative predicate: 面白くない → あまり面白くない. With a verb, it describes frequency: あまり行かない (don't go often).

Meaning and feel

It is not a complete denial. あまり面白くない means ‘not very interesting’, which is softer than 面白くない. It is a polite way of giving a mild negative opinion. In polite speech, あまりおもしろくないです / あまりおもしろくありません.

Always with a negative

あまり needs a negative at the end of the sentence. A positive あまり appears in other patterns (e.g., あまりに～), not here. Close synonyms are それほど～ない and 全然～ない (stronger, ‘not at all’).

Examples

  • この映画（えいが）はあまり面白（おもしろ）くない。

    Kono eiga wa amari omoshirokunai.

    This movie is not very interesting.

    面白い → 面白くない (negative).

  • 今日（きょう）はあまりおなかがすいていない。

    Kyō wa amari onaka ga suite inai.

    I'm not very hungry today.

    Negative of ～ている: ～ていない.

  • あの店（みせ）へはあまり行（い）かない。

    Ano mise e wa amari ikanai.

    I don't go to that shop very often.

    With a verb it shows low frequency.

Common mistakes

  • あまり must be followed by a negative: あまり高くない, not あまり高い.
  • It is mild. For a strong denial, use 全然～ない.

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