とても

The Japanese word とても (totemo) is one of the most fundamental and versatile adverbs in the Japanese language. At its core, it serves as an intensifier, functioning similarly to the English words 'very,' 'extremely,' 'so,' or 'exceedingly.' For learners at the A2 level, mastering とても is a crucial step in moving beyond basic sentences to expressing degree and intensity with clarity and politeness. It is a neutral-to-polite word, making it safe for use in almost any social situation, from casual chats with friends to formal business meetings. Unlike some other intensifiers that carry a specific emotional weight or slangy nuance, とても is the 'standard' choice for adding emphasis to adjectives and other adverbs.

Grammatical Category

Adverb (副詞 - fukushi). It modifies adjectives (both i-adjectives and na-adjectives) and other adverbs to increase their degree.

Core Function

To amplify the quality of the word it precedes. It answers the question 'To what extent?'

Social Register

Polite and Neutral. It is more formal than 'sugoku' and much more formal than 'meccha,' but less stiff than 'hijou ni.'

Historically, とても has a fascinating evolution. In older Japanese, it was primarily used in negative sentences to mean 'by no means' or 'simply cannot.' While this usage still exists today (which we will explore in the grammar section), the modern usage as a positive intensifier became dominant during the Edo period. This shift allowed speakers to express high degrees of positivity, such as 'totemo oishii' (very delicious). When you use とても, you are signaling to your listener that the quality you are describing is significantly above the average or expected level.

In daily life, you will hear とても used to describe weather, food, feelings, and personal traits. It is the 'safe' adverb. If you are unsure whether to use a casual intensifier like 'sugoku' or a formal one like 'hijou ni,' とても is almost always the correct choice. It bridges the gap between different levels of politeness perfectly. For example, in a job interview, you might say 'totemo kyoumi ga arimasu' (I am very interested), and it sounds professional yet sincere. Conversely, telling a friend 'totemo ureshii!' (I'm so happy!) sounds heartfelt and clear.

Another important aspect of とても is its role in written Japanese. While it is common in speech, it also appears frequently in essays, letters, and emails. It provides a level of emphasis that is clear without being overly dramatic. When writing a thank-you note, using とても adds a layer of sincerity that a simple adjective might lack. It shows that you took the time to consider the degree of your gratitude or experience.

In summary, とても is the essential 'volume knob' for your Japanese adjectives. It is reliable, polite, and universally understood. Whether you are describing a delicious meal, a difficult exam, or a beautiful sunset, とても helps you convey the intensity of your experience with the appropriate level of social grace. As you progress in your studies, you will learn more specific intensifiers, but とても will remain a permanent and vital part of your linguistic toolkit.

Using とても (totemo) correctly involves understanding its placement and the types of words it can modify. Grammatically, とても is an adverb, which means its primary job is to modify other words—specifically adjectives and other adverbs. It is almost never used to modify verbs directly (for that, you might use 'yoku' or 'takusan'), and it cannot modify nouns directly without an intervening adjective.

Placement Rule

Always place とても immediately before the adjective or adverb it is intensifying. [とても] + [Adjective/Adverb].

With I-Adjectives

Example: totemo hayai (very fast). The adjective still conjugates as normal (e.g., totemo hayakatta).

With Na-Adjectives

Example: totemo kirei (very beautiful/clean). Remember to use 'na' if it precedes a noun: totemo kirei na machi.

One of the most powerful uses of とても that intermediate learners should focus on is its use in negative sentences. When とても is paired with a negative verb (especially in the potential form), it changes meaning from 'very' to 'absolutely cannot' or 'cannot possibly.' This is a common way to express that something is beyond one's capability or that a task is impossible given the circumstances.

In this context, とても emphasizes the impossibility. It's not just that you can't eat it; it's that it's completely out of the question. This 'negative polarity' usage is a hallmark of natural-sounding Japanese. If you want to sound more advanced, try using とても when you need to decline a request politely but firmly because it is impossible for you to fulfill.

Let's look at how とても modifies other adverbs. While less common than modifying adjectives, it is perfectly valid. For example, if someone is walking quickly, you can say 'hayaku aruku' (walk quickly). If they are walking very quickly, you say 'totemo hayaku aruku.' This allows for precise descriptions of actions.

When using とても with na-adjectives that describe people's personalities, it adds a layer of respect. Saying someone is 'totemo shinsetsu' (very kind) is a high compliment. In Japanese society, where social harmony is valued, using とても to highlight positive traits in others is a common and appreciated conversational strategy. It shows that you are observant and appreciative of the people around you.

Finally, consider the rhythm of the sentence. とても has three morae (to-te-mo), which gives it a steady, balanced sound. In spoken Japanese, speakers often elongate the first syllable—'too-temo'—to add even more emphasis, similar to how an English speaker might say 'veeeeery.' This is a natural way to add emotional color to your speech without changing the word itself. By practicing the placement and the 'negative impossibility' usage, you will find とても to be one of your most useful tools for effective communication.

If you were to spend a day in Tokyo, Osaka, or any other Japanese city, you would likely hear とても (totemo) dozens of times. It is a staple of 'Standard Japanese' (Hyouryungo) and is used across all demographics. However, the context in which you hear it vs. other intensifiers is what defines a truly proficient speaker. You will hear とても in customer service, in the classroom, on the news, and in polite social gatherings. It is the 'gold standard' for emphasis.

Customer Service

Staff in shops or restaurants often use とても to sound polite and professional. 'Totemo ninki ga arimasu' (It is very popular).

News and Media

News anchors use とても or its more formal cousin 'hijou ni' to report on significant events. 'Totemo juuyou na nyuusu' (Very important news).

Classrooms

Teachers use it to encourage students or explain concepts. 'Totemo yoku dekimashita' (You did very well).

One of the most common places to hear とても is in the 'Aisatsu' (greetings and social exchanges) that grease the wheels of Japanese society. When someone gives you a gift, you might say 'Totemo suteki desu!' (It's very lovely!). When meeting someone for the first time in a professional setting, you might say 'O-ai dekite totemo kouei desu' (I am very honored to meet you). In these cases, とても provides the necessary level of 'teinei' (politeness) that casual words like 'sugoku' lack.

In television dramas (J-Dramas) and anime, とても is often used by characters who are portrayed as refined, polite, or perhaps a bit formal. A student speaking to a teacher, a subordinate speaking to a boss, or a character from a wealthy background will frequently use とても. On the other hand, a rough-around-the-edges protagonist might favor 'sugee' or 'meccha.' Listening for these choices can tell you a lot about a character's personality and social standing.

You will also encounter とても in travel guides and reviews. When a place is described as 'totemo kirei' (very beautiful) or 'totemo benri' (very convenient), it's a standard endorsement. In written reviews on sites like Tabelog (for food) or Rakuten (for shopping), とても is used to provide balanced, trustworthy feedback. It sounds more objective than the hyperbole of slang, which makes it effective for conveying real value.

Finally, in the world of Japanese literature and song lyrics, とても is used to build emotional resonance. Because it is a word everyone knows, it has a universal appeal. It doesn't distract with its own cleverness; instead, it shines a spotlight on the emotion or quality it is describing. Whether you are reading a simple children's book or listening to a J-Pop ballad, とても is there, helping to paint a vivid picture of intensity and feeling.

While とても (totemo) is a relatively straightforward word, English speakers often fall into several common traps due to the differences between Japanese and English grammar. Understanding these pitfalls will help you sound more natural and avoid confusing your Japanese listeners. The most frequent errors involve word order, word category, and register confusion.

Mistake 1: Modifying Nouns Directly

In English, we can't say 'a very car,' and you can't do it in Japanese either. You must have an adjective. Incorrect: 'Totemo kuruma.' Correct: 'Totemo hayai kuruma' (A very fast car).

Mistake 2: Confusing 'Very' with 'Many/Much'

Learners often use とても when they mean 'a lot of.' Incorrect: 'Totemo hon ga arimasu.' Correct: 'Takusan hon ga arimasu' (There are many books).

Mistake 3: Overuse in Casual Speech

While not 'wrong,' using とても exclusively with close friends can sound a bit stiff or 'textbook-like.' In casual settings, 'sugoku' or 'meccha' are often more natural.

Another subtle mistake involves the 'negative impossibility' usage mentioned earlier. Some learners try to use とても with a negative adjective to mean 'not very.' For example, to say 'It's not very cold,' you should use 'amari' (amari samukunai). If you say 'totemo samukunai,' it sounds like you are trying to say 'It is extremely not-cold,' which is confusing and unnatural in Japanese. Remember: とても + Negative Adjective is rare; とても + Negative Potential Verb means 'impossible.'

Word order is another area where mistakes happen. In English, we might say 'I like it very much.' In Japanese, the intensifier とても must come before the word 'like' (suki). Incorrect: 'Suki desu totemo.' Correct: 'Totemo suki desu.' Adverbs in Japanese are much less flexible in their placement than in English. They almost always sit right in front of the word they are modifying.

Finally, be careful with the word 'zenzen.' Some learners confuse とても and 'zenzen' because both can be used for emphasis. However, 'zenzen' is almost exclusively used with negative endings to mean 'not at all' (though this is changing in slang). Using とても where 'zenzen' is required will change your meaning from 'not at all' to 'extremely,' which could lead to significant misunderstandings!

By keeping these distinctions in mind—especially the difference between quality (totemo) and quantity (takusan), and the specific role of とても in negative potential sentences—you will avoid the most common errors and speak Japanese that is both accurate and natural.

Japanese is rich with intensifiers, and choosing the right one can significantly change the tone of your sentence. While とても (totemo) is the most versatile, knowing its alternatives will allow you to express yourself more precisely. Here, we compare とても with other common words that mean 'very' or 'extremely.'

凄く (sugoku)

Nuance: More casual and emotive than とても. It's like 'really' or 'super.'
Example: Sugoku ureshii! (I'm really happy!)

大変 (taihen)

Nuance: Often used in formal situations or to emphasize that something is a 'big deal' or a hardship.
Example: Taihen osewa ni narimashita. (You have been a great help.)

非常に (hijou ni)

Nuance: Very formal, 'extremely.' Used in news, business reports, and academic writing.
Example: Hijou ni kiken desu. (It is extremely dangerous.)

めっちゃ (meccha)

Nuance: Slang, originally from Osaka. Used by young people for strong emphasis. Like 'hella' or 'crazy.'
Example: Meccha oishii! (This is crazy good!)

When deciding which to use, consider your relationship with the listener. If you are talking to a teacher or a boss, stick with とても or 'taihen.' If you are with friends, 'sugoku' or 'meccha' will make you sound more like a native speaker. Using とても in a very casual group might make you sound a bit like a storybook character—polite but slightly distant.

There are also words for 'somewhat' or 'quite' that sit just below とても in intensity. 'Kanari' (quite/considerably) and 'nakanaka' (quite/more than expected) are useful when とても feels too strong. For example, if a movie was good but not amazing, you might say 'kanari omoshirokatta' instead of 'totemo omoshirokatta.'

In written Japanese, you might also see 'kiwamete' (extremely/exceedingly). This is even more formal than 'hijou ni' and is reserved for high-level literature or official documents. As a learner, you don't need to use 'kiwamete' in speech, but recognizing it will help your reading comprehension. On the opposite end, 'chotto' (a little) is the most common way to soften a statement, acting as the natural antonym to とても's intensity.

Understanding these synonyms allows you to 'color' your Japanese. Instead of using とても for everything, you can start to match your intensifier to the situation and your feelings. This variety is what makes your Japanese sound sophisticated and nuanced. Start by mastering とても, then slowly incorporate 'sugoku' for friends and 'hijou ni' for formal writing, and you will be well on your way to fluency.