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JLPT N3 · Degree & extent

あまり (amari)

あまりの~に — so ~ that ~

In short · Shows that something was so extreme that it caused a result: “so ~ that ~.” It attaches to a noun made from an adjective (暑さ, うれしさ), in the form あまりの+N+に. The result is an emotion, a reaction or a physical effect.
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Pattern

  • あまりの + 名詞(〜さ) + に、~ あまりの暑さに、~ (because of the extreme heat)

How it is built

Change the adjective to a noun with さ (暑い → 暑さ, 忙しい → 忙しさ) and put あまりの in front and に after it. The sentence expresses a strong reaction caused by the extreme degree.

Features of the result

The second half is something that happened as a result, such as めまいがした or 涙が出てきた. It is a fact or reaction, not an order, request or the speaker's intention.

Examples

  • あまりの暑(あつ)さに、めまいがしました。

    Amari no atsusa ni, memai ga shimashita.

    I felt dizzy from the extreme heat.

  • あまりのうれしさに、涙(なみだ)が出(で)てきた。

    Amari no ureshisa ni, namida ga dete kita.

    I was so happy that tears started to come out.

  • あまりの忙(いそが)しさに、昼(ひる)ご飯(はん)を食(た)べるのを忘(わす)れた。

    Amari no isogashisa ni, hirugohan o taberu no o wasureta.

    I was so busy that I forgot to eat lunch.

Common mistakes

  • Use a noun with さ after の, not the adjective: あまりの暑さに, not あまりの暑いに.
  • Do not mix it up with あまり~ない (not very). That is a different pattern.

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