あまりの〜に: meaning and usage

How to form it

• あまりの+noun+に
• あまりの+い-adjective stem (without い)+さ+に

How it is used

Because something is so extreme, a reaction or result follows: 'it was so … that'. The noun is often an adjective + 「さ」, like 「暑さ」 or 「美しさ」. What follows is usually an involuntary reaction rather than a deliberate action.

Examples

1. あまりの暑さに、今日は外へ出かけられなかった。

   It was so hot that I couldn't go out today.

2. あまりの美しさに、みんな言葉を失った。

   It was so beautiful that everyone was lost for words.

3. あまりの値段の高さに驚いて、何も買わずに店を出た。

   I was so shocked at how high the prices were that I left the shop without buying anything.