N2 Reasons, Causes, and Expectations

あまりの~に: meaning, usage and examples

あまりの~に means: because of such... / so... that...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. あまりの美うつくしさに、言葉ことばを失うしなった。

   I was at a loss for words because of such beauty.

2. あまりの痛いたさに、泣ないてしまった。

   Because it hurt so much, I ended up crying.

3. あまりの暑あつさに、昼間ひるまは誰だれも外そとを歩あるいていなかった。

   It was so hot that nobody was walking outside during the day.

4. あまりの値段ねだんの高たかさに、買かうのをやめました。

   The price was so high that I decided not to buy it.

When to use it

Shows that the degree of something was so extreme that it caused a reaction or result. The noun is usually an い-adjective turned into a noun with さ: あまりの寒さむさに、手てが動うごかなくなった (it was so cold that my hands stopped working). It describes what actually happened, often a strong feeling or an involuntary reaction.

Nuance

Neutral to slightly written; used in stories, reports and conversation about past events. The second clause is a natural, uncontrolled result (驚おどろいた, 言葉ことばを失うしなった, 泣ないてしまった), not a decision, request or intention. Not used for future plans.

Compare

Verb + あまり means "because of too much of an action or feeling": 心配しんぱいするあまり、眠ねむれなかった. あまりにも is a plain adverb: あまりにも高たかい (far too expensive). あまりの～に always takes a noun and marks the cause of a reaction: あまりの高たかさに驚おどろいた.

Tip: Look for the さ-noun: あまりの + 〇〇さ + に. The result is something that happened to you, not something you chose.