GRAMMAR
〜あまりに
too ~ so ~
Explanation
NOTE
〜あまりに means so X that Y — Y happens as a result of an excessive degree of X.
驚いたあまりに、声が出なかった。
I was so surprised that I couldn't speak.
The result clause often describes an extreme or unintended consequence.
NOTE
The emphasis is on excessive degree of an emotion, action, or state causing a notable result.
NOTE
With verbs, attach あまりに to the plain form — often the た-form for completed emotional reactions.
STRUCTURE
V辞
あまりに働き過ぎたあまりに、体を壊した。
Hatarakisugita amari ni, karada o kowashita.
He worked so much that he ruined his health.
泣いたあまりに、目が腫れてしまった。
Naita amari ni, me ga harete shimatta.
She cried so much that her eyes swelled up.
考え過ぎたあまりに、眠れなくなった。
Kangaesugita amari ni, nemurenaku natta.
I thought so much that I couldn't sleep.
NOTE
With na-adjectives, attach なあまりに to the stem (心配 → 心配なあまりに).
STRUCTURE
Adj-Na辞
なあまりに心配なあまりに、夜眠れなかった。
Shinpai na amari ni, yoru nemurenakatta.
I was so worried that I couldn't sleep at night.
真剣なあまりに、周りが見えなくなった。
Shinken na amari ni, mawari ga mienaku natta.
He was so serious that he stopped noticing his surroundings.
正直なあまりに、友達を傷つけた。
Shoujiki na amari ni, tomodachi o kizutsuketa.
He was so honest that he hurt his friend.
NOTE
With nouns, attach のあまりに (悲しみ → 悲しみのあまりに) — typically with emotion nouns.
STRUCTURE
N辞
のあまりに悲しみのあまりに、立てなくなった。
Kanashimi no amari ni, tatenaku natta.
Out of too much sadness, she couldn't stand up.
緊張のあまりに、手が震えた。
Kinchou no amari ni, te ga furueta.
He was so nervous that his hands shook.
喜びのあまりに、涙が出た。
Yorokobi no amari ni, namida ga deta.
He was so joyful that tears came out.
Practice exercises
1
試験が予想以上に余りに難しくて、諦めてしまった。
The exam was too difficult, even more than expected, so I gave up.
Answer
余りに
2
彼は余りに驚いて、声を出すことまでできなかった。
He was too surprised, so he couldn't even make a sound.
Answer
余りに
3
状況は余りに混沌としていて、誰も冷静な判断ができなかった。
The situation was too chaotic, so no one could make a calm judgment.
Answer
余りに
4
彼の説明は余りに抽象的すぎて、問題の本質を掴めなかった。
His explanation was too abstract, so I couldn't grasp the core issue.
Answer
余りに
5
費用からすると、余りに高くて買えなかった。
From the perspective of cost, it was too expensive, so I couldn't buy it.
Answer
余りに