そんなに
sonna ni
The English phrase "so much" is translated into Japanese as そんなに (sonna ni).
そんなに is an adverb used to express a certain degree or extent. While it can be used in affirmative sentences, it is most commonly used in negative constructions to express that a degree is excessive or unexpected.
Meaning: to a certain degree or extent (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of そんな (sonna), meaning "that kind of" or "that way" and the particle に (ni), which turns the preceding word into an adverb.
How does it change in a sentence?
In negative sentences, そんなに is frequently used to mean "not so much" or "not that much".
How do you pronounce it?
sonna ni
Did you know?
- The word そんな is part of a 'ko-so-a-do' system, a linguistic pattern used across Japanese to categorize things as near the speaker, near the listener, or distant from both.
- While English uses 'so much' for both positive and negative emphasis, using そんなに in a positive, non-questioning sentence can sound strangely poetic or old-fashioned in modern Japanese.
- In highly formal settings, そんなに is often replaced by それほど (sore hodo), which conveys the same meaning but sounds more sophisticated and distant.
Examples in context
- そんなに騒ぐな。Don't make so much noise.This sentence shows how to use そんなに to express not making an excessive amount of noise.Tatoeba #204251 by small_snow, translation #41493 by CK
- そんなに吸うな。Don't smoke so much.This sentence uses そんなに to advise against smoking an excessive amount.Tatoeba #10657603 by small_snow, translation #4948416 by AlanF_US
- そんなに食べないの！Don't eat so much!This sentence uses そんなに to express that someone is eating an excessive amount.Tatoeba #10657609 by small_snow, translation #9722252 by Adelpa
- 日本の文化にはたくさんの魅力があります。There are so many charms in Japanese culture.
- その会社は多量の商品を輸出しています。That company exports a large quantity of products.
- その映画、めっちゃおもしろかった！That movie was so much fun!
- このピザはすごく美味しい！This pizza is so delicious!
- 47 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Youta and Himari are talking about a movie they just watched.
- 陽太 Yotaあの映画、そんなに面白かった？Ano eiga, sonna ni omoshirokatta?Was that movie really that interesting?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、最高だったよ！Un, saiko datta yo!Yeah, it was the best!
- 陽太 Yota僕はそんなに感動しなかったな。Boku wa sonna ni kandou shinakatta na.I wasn't that moved by it.
- 陽葵 Himariえっ、本当？残念。E, hontou? Zannen.What, really? That's too bad.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
