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'.
I don't have much work today.
Saying that something doesn't happen often.
Pattern: あまり + verb negative form. Means 'not very often' or 'not much'.
I don't watch movies much lately.
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.
Emphasizes that there is only a little. 'Only a little'.
I don't have much money.
Means 'it's not a big deal' or 'nothing much'. Used when downplaying something.
The injury is not much.
Pattern: めったに + verb negative form. Means 'rarely' or 'hardly ever'. Stronger than あまり.
He doesn't get angry much.
A: What are you doing? B: Not much.
Means 'nothing in particular'. A slightly more complete reply than 別に.
A: How have you been? B: Not much.
Means 'same as usual'. Used when nothing has changed.
A: How are you? B: Not much, same as always.