Translation guide
How to express 'not much' in Japanese, covering small quantity, low frequency, and casual replies.
Expressing that there is only a small amount of something.
A natural way to say 'not much' when referring to an amount. Literally 'not very many/much'.
今日は仕事があまり多くない。
I don't have much work today.
Emphasizes that there is only a little. 'Only a little'.
Saying that something doesn't happen often.
Pattern: あまり + verb negative form. Means 'not very often' or 'not much'.
最近あまり映画を見ない。
I don't watch movies much lately.
Pattern: めったに + verb negative form. Means 'rarely' or 'hardly ever'. Stronger than あまり.
Responding to questions like 'What's new?' or 'What are you doing?' with 'not much'.
A very common casual reply meaning 'nothing much' or 'not really'. Often used with 何もない.
Directly translating 'not much' as 多くない can sound unnatural in many contexts. Use the patterns above depending on the situation.
I don't have much money.
Means 'it's not a big deal' or 'nothing much'. Used when downplaying something.
怪我は大したことない。
The injury is not much.
He doesn't get angry much.
A: 何してるの？ B: 別に。
A: What are you doing? B: Not much.
Means 'nothing in particular'. A slightly more complete reply than 別に.
A: 最近どう？ B: 特に何もないよ。
A: How have you been? B: Not much.
Means 'same as usual'. Used when nothing has changed.
A: 元気？ B: 相変わらずだよ。
A: How are you? B: Not much, same as always.