What is the difference between "あまり", "必ずしも", "そんなに", "〜だけでなく", "さほど"?

"あまり" means "not much, not very (used with negative verb)", "必ずしも" means "not necessarily; not always (used with a negative predicate)", "そんなに" means "(not) so much; (not) that much", "〜だけでなく" means "not only... but also...", "さほど" means "not particularly, not so much (used with a negative verb)".

Quintuple VS

Synonym Boundary: "あまり", "必ずしも", "そんなに", "〜だけでなく", "さほど"

All represent the core concept "not", but require precise selection.

Japanese Option A

あまり

あまり (amari)

N5 / CEFR

Japanese Option B

必ずしも

かならずしも (kanarazushimo)

N4 / CEFR

Japanese Option C

そんなに

そんなに (sonnani)

N3 / CEFR

Japanese Option D

〜だけでなく

〜だけでなく (〜dake de naku)

N3 / CEFR

Japanese Option E

さほど

さほど (sahodo)

N2 / CEFR

Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences

When expressing "not" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "あまり", "必ずしも", "そんなに", "〜だけでなく", "さほど" based on context.

あまり (あまり (amari) - Level: N5): Maps to "not much, not very (used with negative verb)" and is used when Adverb. Always used with a negative form of a verb or adjective.
必ずしも (かならずしも (kanarazushimo) - Level: N4): Maps to "not necessarily; not always (used with a negative predicate)" and is used when Always followed by a negative expression.
そんなに (そんなに (sonnani) - Level: N3): Maps to "(not) so much; (not) that much" and is used when Often used with negative expressions.
〜だけでなく (〜だけでなく (〜dake de naku) - Level: N3): Maps to "not only... but also..." and is used when Indicates that something applies not just to one thing, but to another as well, often emphasizing the second part. Connects two pieces of information..
さほど (さほど (sahodo) - Level: N2): Maps to "not particularly, not so much (used with a negative verb)" and is used when Always used with a negative expression to indicate that something is not to that extent or degree. Often implies 'not as much as one might expect.'.

Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!

Context for "あまり"

私はあまりテレビを見ません。

I don't watch TV much.

Context for "必ずしも"

お金持ちが必ずしも幸せとは限りません。

Wealthy people are not necessarily happy.

Context for "そんなに"

この映画は、そんなに面白くありませんでした。

This movie wasn't that interesting.

Context for "〜だけでなく"

彼は日本語だけでなく、英語も話せる。

He can speak not only Japanese but also English.

Context for "さほど"

その映画は前評判ほどさほど面白くなかった。

That movie wasn't as interesting as its initial reputation suggested.

Synonym Mastery Challenge

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "私は＿＿＿テレビを見ません。" (Meaning: "I don't watch TV much.")

🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "あまり" is correct here because it represents "not much, not very (used with negative verb)" in the context: "I don't watch TV much.".