Translation guide
The English adverb 'awfully' is used to intensify adjectives or adverbs, meaning 'very' or 'extremely.' It can also mean 'in a terrible manner,' but this usage is less common in modern English. This guide focuses on helping learners express the intensifier meaning naturally in Japanese.
The speaker wants to emphasize the degree of an adjective or adverb, similar to 'very' or 'extremely.'
A standard, neutral intensifier meaning 'very.' Suitable for most situations.
The speaker wants to describe an action done in a bad, unpleasant, or terrible way.
The adverbial form of 'ひどい' (terrible). Used to describe doing something terribly or awfully.
In most cases, 'awfully' is used as an intensifier (meaning 'very'), not to describe the manner of an action. Using 'ひどく' to mean 'very' is incorrect. Reserve 'ひどく' for when you truly mean 'in a terrible way.'
It's awfully hot today, isn't it?
A common, slightly more casual intensifier. Often used in spoken Japanese.
I'm awfully tired.
A formal intensifier, often used in writing or polite speech.
I'm awfully sorry.
A very casual, emphatic intensifier. Common among younger speakers.
It was awfully fun!
A formal intensifier, often used in set phrases or polite expressions. Can sound stiff in casual conversation.
I'm awfully obliged to you.
彼はひどく扱われた。
He was treated awfully.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'to have a terrible experience' or 'to suffer awfully.'
I had an awfully bad time during the trip.