よく・たくさん・少し・あまり・ぜんぜん (yoku / takusan / sukoshi / amari / zenzen) — amount / frequency words
Words that say how often or how much.
Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)
Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)
Meaning
- Words for how often or how much go before the verb.
- Picture a ladder: たくさん > よく > 少し > あまり〜ません > ぜんぜん〜ません.
How to attach
- With positive verbs: よく (often / well), たくさん (a lot), 少し (a little).
- Only with negative 〜ません: あまり (not much), ぜんぜん (not at all).
Watch out
あまり食べます ❌ and ぜんぜん食べます ❌ never happen.
Examples (उदाहरणहरू)
よく音楽を聞きます。
よくおんがくをききます。
I often listen to music.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) よく (often) ──> fine with a positive verb ➔ [ + 音楽を聞きます ] ──> よく音楽を聞きます (I often listen to music).
少し飲みます。
すこしのみます。
I drink a little.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 少し (a little) ──> fine with a positive verb ➔ [ + 飲みます ] ──> 少し飲みます (I drink a little).
あまり食べません。
あまりたべません。
I don't eat much.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) あまり (not much) ──> [ ます ❌ ] ──> it needs a negative ➔ [ + 食べません ] ──> あまり食べません (I don't eat much).
Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)
Which means "often"?
💡 Hint: High frequency.
よく = often / well.
Which sentence uses あまり correctly?
💡 Hint: あまり always goes with a negative verb.
テレビを あまり 見ません = 'I don't watch much.' あまり needs a 〜ません form; it does not go with 見ます or 見ました.
Fill: ＿食べません。("don't eat at all")
💡 Hint: "at all" + negative.
ぜんぜん食べません = don't eat at all.
Your score: /3