How to say "awfully" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- adverbThe plain, all-purpose intensifier: 'awfully' meaning simply 'very', as in awfully cold or awfully tired. Neutral in tone and the safest choice when you only want to boost an adjective or state.
- 大変たいへんadverbAlso an intensifier, but with a sense of great or serious degree; it suits 'awfully' in heavier contexts like awfully busy or awfully hard. By itself it also means 'tough, hard going'.
- expressionNot a free-standing intensifier: this is really the 'cannot help (feeling)' pattern, for a wish, worry or emotion so strong it is unbearable. Seldom the word you want when you simply mean 'very'.
- adverbCovers 'awfully' in the negative sense — terribly, dreadfully. Because it comes from an adjective meaning terrible, it suits unpleasant or severe states better than pleasant ones.
- adverb (with と)Really means 'quite, considerably, surprisingly': the degree is noticeably more than expected. It can be stretched to 'awfully', but it is milder, so it is seldom the word for a strong 'awfully'.
For plain intensifying 'awfully' use 「とても」 or 大変, the latter heavier; 「ひどく」 adds a terrible, severe flavor; 「ずいぶん」 is milder, closer to 'quite, surprisingly'; 「ならない」 is only for feelings you cannot suppress.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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