とても・あまり

## What it means とても means "very" or "really," and it makes a positive statement stronger. あまり means "not very" or "not really," but it only works in negative sentences — it can't stand alone with something positive.

## When to use it Put とても right before an adjective or verb to boost it: とても美味しい ("really delicious"). Put あまり right before an adjective or verb that ends in a negative form: あまり美味しくない ("not very delicious"). あまり always needs that negative ending somewhere in the sentence — leaving it out is grammatically wrong.

## Don't confuse it with The single biggest mistake beginners make is using あまり in a positive sentence, like saying あまり美味しいです to mean "not that delicious." That sentence doesn't work in Japanese — あまり demands a negative verb or adjective right there with it. If you want a softer positive statement instead, use とても or just drop the intensifier.