[Q&A] Is あまり not always used in negative sentences?

Today I am going to share the Q&A quoted from my JLPT N2 course!

 

[Question]

「うれしさのあまり、泣いてしまった。」
I don’t get why this sentence is correct.
あまり is always used in negative sentences, but not in this sentence.
Can you please explain?

*泣(な)く cry

 

 

[My Reply]

あまり in this sentence and あまり used in a negative sentence have different meanings.

うれしさのあまり、泣いてしまった。
I was so happy that I cried.

This あまり means “so much… that”, “too” “〜すぎて” “とても〜て”
うれしさのあまり
=とてもうれしくて

あまり in the negative sentence means “(not) very” “(not) much”
e.g.
私はあまり日本語が上手じゃありません
My Japanese is not very good.

 

I hope my answer helps you.😊

 

 

In the JLPT course, you can ask me any questions as much as you want.
I will teach you until you get it!

 

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