あまり働く
amari hataraku
not much work
Literally: amari (not much/very) + hataraku (to work)
In 15 Seconds
- Describes someone who does not work very much or very hard.
- Requires a negative verb ending like 'nai' or 'masen' to function.
- Can be a gentle criticism or a description of a relaxed life.
Meaning
This phrase describes someone who doesn't work very hard or doesn't have a lot of work to do. It is almost always used with a negative verb ending to mean 'not much work.'
Key Examples
3 of 6Gossiping with a friend about a lazy person
彼、最近あまり働かないね。
He doesn't work much lately, does he?
Explaining your schedule to a new acquaintance
週末はあまり働きません。
I don't work much on the weekends.
Texting a friend about your lazy Sunday
今日はあまり働きたくないな〜。
I don't really want to work much today...
Cultural Background
In a culture that traditionally prizes extreme diligence, 'amari hatarakanai' can be a loaded statement. It is often used as a mild social critique of someone not pulling their weight. However, with the rise of 'Work-Life Balance' (waaku raifu baransu) in Japan, it is increasingly used to describe a healthy, stress-free lifestyle.
The Negative Rule
Remember that `amari` is a 'negative polarity item.' This is a fancy way of saying it almost always needs a negative verb like `nai` or `masen` to mean 'not much.'
Careful with 'Amari'
If you use `amari` with a positive verb, it can sometimes mean 'too much' in a literary sense, but it sounds very strange to modern ears. Stick to the negative!
In 15 Seconds
- Describes someone who does not work very much or very hard.
- Requires a negative verb ending like 'nai' or 'masen' to function.
- Can be a gentle criticism or a description of a relaxed life.
What It Means
This phrase describes someone who is taking it easy. It focuses on the low volume or intensity of labor. In Japanese, the word amari acts as a modifier. When you pair it with a negative verb, it means 'not very much.' So, amari hatarakanai means someone doesn't work much. It implies a lack of effort or a very light schedule. It is a common way to describe a relaxed lifestyle. Or, it might be a polite way to call someone lazy.
How To Use It
You must change the verb hataraku to its negative form. For friends, you use the form hatarakanai. For a polite setting, you use hatarakimasen. You place amari right before the verb. It softens the statement. It is like adding 'not very' in English. You can also use it to describe your own habits. For example, 'I don't work much on Sundays' fits perfectly. It is a very flexible phrase for daily life.
When To Use It
Use this when talking about your daily routine. It is great for describing a slow day at the office. You can use it when gossiping about a lazy roommate. It also works when talking about animals or machines. 'My old computer doesn't work much anymore' is a fun use. Use it when you want to sound humble about your job. It feels very natural in casual conversations over coffee. It is a staple of everyday Japanese conversation.
When NOT To Use It
Never use this in a formal job interview. Saying 'I don't work much' will not get you hired! Avoid using it to describe your boss's efforts. That might sound very disrespectful or even dangerous. Do not use it if you actually work zero hours. For that, use zenzen instead of amari. Amari implies there is still a little bit of work happening. If you are totally unemployed, this isn't the right phrase.
Cultural Background
Japan has a deep history with the concept of 'Ganbaru.' This means to do your absolute best at all times. Because of this, saying someone 'doesn't work much' is significant. It can be a gentle way to say someone is lazy. Or, it can show that someone has achieved a work-life balance. In modern Japan, 'work-life balance' is becoming a hot topic. Younger generations use this phrase more freely than their parents did. It reflects a shift in social values.
Common Variations
You can say amari hataraitenai for 'hasn't been working lately.' Add na at the end for a thoughtful feeling. Amari hatarakanai na sounds like you are observing someone. You can also use amari hatarakitakunai. This means 'I don't really want to work.' We all feel that way on Monday mornings! You might also hear amari hatarakaserenai, which means 'not allowed to work much.'
Usage Notes
This phrase is neutral but can lean towards informal depending on the verb ending. The most important 'gotcha' is that 'amari' must be paired with a negative verb to mean 'not much.'
The Negative Rule
Remember that `amari` is a 'negative polarity item.' This is a fancy way of saying it almost always needs a negative verb like `nai` or `masen` to mean 'not much.'
Careful with 'Amari'
If you use `amari` with a positive verb, it can sometimes mean 'too much' in a literary sense, but it sounds very strange to modern ears. Stick to the negative!
The Humble Brag
In Japan, saying you 'don't work much' can be a way to avoid looking like you are bragging about being busy. It’s a subtle way to stay humble.
Examples
6彼、最近あまり働かないね。
He doesn't work much lately, does he?
Uses the casual negative 'hatarakanai' with the particle 'ne' for agreement.
週末はあまり働きません。
I don't work much on the weekends.
Uses the polite 'masen' form for a neutral, respectful tone.
今日はあまり働きたくないな〜。
I don't really want to work much today...
Uses 'hatarakitakunai' (don't want to work) to express a mood.
うちの猫はあまり働かないけど、可愛いです。
My cat doesn't work much, but she's cute.
A playful way to use the phrase for non-humans.
体調が悪いので、あまり働かないようにしています。
I'm not feeling well, so I'm trying not to work too much.
Uses 'youni shiteimasu' to show an intentional effort to limit work.
この古いパソコン、あまり働かないよ。
This old computer doesn't work much (isn't very productive).
Personifies the computer using 'hataraku' instead of 'ugoku' (move/function).
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence meaning 'I don't work much.'
私は ___ 働きません。
In Japanese, 'amari' is used with negative verbs like 'hatarakimasen' to mean 'not much.'
Complete the casual sentence: 'He doesn't work much.'
彼はあまり ___ 。
To mean 'not much work,' you must use the negative form 'hatarakanai' with 'amari.'
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Levels of 'Not Working Much'
Used with friends or family.
あまり働かない (Amari hatarakanai)
Standard polite Japanese.
あまり働きません (Amari hatarakimasen)
Business or humble context.
あまり働いておりません (Amari hataraite orimasen)
When to use 'Amari Hataraku' (Negative)
Lazy Sunday
Today I don't want to work much.
Office Gossip
That guy doesn't work much.
Health Issues
I can't work much lately.
Pet Life
My dog doesn't work much.
Practice Bank
2 exercises私は ___ 働きません。
In Japanese, 'amari' is used with negative verbs like 'hatarakimasen' to mean 'not much.'
彼はあまり ___ 。
To mean 'not much work,' you must use the negative form 'hatarakanai' with 'amari.'
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsWhen followed by a negative verb, yes. On its own, it can mean 'remainder' or 'excess,' but in this phrase, it always means 'not much.'
No, that doesn't work. To say 'I work a lot,' you would say takusan hataraku or yoku hataraku.
It can be. It implies they are lazy or not doing their job. Use it carefully when talking about others.
Amari means 'not much' (a little work happens), while zenzen means 'not at all' (zero work happens).
Use the form amari hatarakimasen. For example: Kyo wa amari hatarakimasen (I'm not working much today).
Yes! It's a common personification. You can say your old phone amari hatarakanai to mean it's slow or buggy.
Not exactly slang, but in casual speech, people often drop the 'i' in hataraitenai, saying hataraitenai instead of hataraiteinai.
You would use the suffix -sugi. So, 'work too much' is hatarakisugi or hatarakisugiru.
Yes, but it usually needs the particle no. For example, amari no isogashisa (excessive busyness).
It's A2 because it teaches the fundamental grammar point of pairing amari with a negative verb, which is essential for basic Japanese.
Related Phrases
あまり食べない
not eat much
よく働く
work a lot / work hard
働きすぎる
to overwork
全然働かない
not work at all
