Translation guide
Expresses degree or amount, often in comparisons or emphatic statements. Japanese uses various words depending on whether it's about quantity, extent, or a negative/positive emphasis.
そんなに食べられない。
I can't eat that much.
それほど高くない。
It's not that expensive.
Expressing that something is to a certain degree or extent, often in comparisons or when pointing to a known standard.
Common adverb meaning 'that much' or 'so much', often used in negative sentences or questions. Can also be used in positive statements when the degree is understood from context.
そんなに食べられない。
I can't eat that much.
そんなに難しくないよ。
It's not that difficult.
Refers to something distant from both speaker and listener, or something previously mentioned. Often used when recalling a past event or describing something not present.
あんなに練習したのに、負けてしまった。
Even though I practiced that much, I lost.
Slightly more formal than そんなに. Often used in negative sentences or to downplay something.
それほど重要ではない。
It's not that important.
Formal/literary equivalent of あんなに, emphasizing a high degree in the past or distant context.
あれほど警告したのに。
Even though I warned you that much.
Referring to a specific amount or number of things, often pointing to a quantity known from context.
Works for both degree and quantity. When used with counters or quantities, it means 'that many' or 'that much'.
そんなに要らない。
I don't need that many.
そんなにお金を持っていない。
I don't have that much money.
Literally 'only that much' or 'that much and no more'. Can be neutral or imply a limited amount.
Refers to a large amount previously mentioned or known, often with a sense of surprise or emphasis.
あれだけ食べたらお腹いっぱいでしょう。
You must be full after eating that much.
Indicating that something happens to the extent that it leads to a result, often with a following clause.
Used to give a reason or result based on the degree. 'Because it's that much...'
そんなに暑いから、エアコンをつけよう。
Since it's that hot, let's turn on the AC.
Formal version of the above.
それほど重要な問題なので、慎重に検討します。
Since it's that important an issue, we will consider it carefully.
Downplaying something, saying it's not to a great extent.
Common in negative sentences to mean 'not that much' or 'not particularly'.
それほど好きじゃない。
I don't like it that much.
More casual than それほど, but same meaning in negatives.
Always used with negatives. Means 'not very' or 'not that much'. Slightly more emphatic.
Comparing two things, saying one is as much as the other.
Means 'about the same as'. Can be used with quantities or degrees.
彼は私と同じくらい食べる。
He eats as much as I do.
Used in comparisons to mean 'as much as'. Often in the form AはBほど〜ない (A is not as ~ as B).
彼ほど上手くない。
I'm not as good as him.
Both mean 'that much', but そんなに is more common in casual speech, while それほど is slightly more formal and often used in writing or polite conversation. In negative sentences, they are often interchangeable.
そんなに高くないよ。
It's not that expensive. (casual)
それほど高くありません。
It's not that expensive. (polite)
When referring to a number of discrete items, Japanese often uses a counter word. 'That many' can be expressed with そんなに + counter, e.g., そんなにたくさん (that many), そんなに多くの (that many). Simply using そんなに alone can be ambiguous, so context or a counter is needed.
そんなにたくさんの本を持っているの？
Do you have that many books?
あんなに is often used when both speaker and listener know the extent from a shared experience. It carries a nuance of 'to that (surprising) extent'.
あんなに待ったのに、来なかった。
Even though we waited that long, they didn't come.
そんなに気にしてくれていたなんて知らなかった。
I didn't know you cared that much.
本当にそんなに面倒なの？
Is it really that much trouble?
それだけあれば十分です。
That much is enough.
It's not that interesting.
大して変わらない。
It doesn't change that much.