Japanese word

とても

Pronunciation

Romajitotemo

Meaning

  • adverbvery

Example

この本はとても面白いです。ko no hon wa to te mo omo shiro i de su

This book is very interesting.

Illustration for とても (very)

More examples

今日はとても暑いです。kyō wa to te mo atsu i de su

It is very hot today.

今日はとても寒いです。kyō wa to te mo samu i de su

It is very cold today.

Core concept

Marks a notably strong degree of a quality or condition rather than merely stating that it exists.

Common phrases

  • とても忙しいto te mo isoga shi i

    very busy

  • とても大きいto te mo ō ki i

    very big

Similar words

すごくsugoku: Shows a very high degree in casual spoken language.
大変taihen: Shows a very high degree and can sound somewhat formal.
非常にhijōni: Shows an extremely high degree in formal or written language.
かなりkanari: Shows a degree that is clearly above the usual level.

Definition in Japanese

性質や状態の程度が非常に高いことを表す語。sei shitsu ya jō tai no tei do ga hi jō ni taka i ko to o arawa su go

Word origin

とても (totemo) is a native Japanese adverb associated with とてもかくても (totemo kakutemo, "in any case"); the form shifted from negative contexts to mean "very".

Usage tips

  • The casual form とっても (tottemo) is widely used in place of とても (totemo) in everyday conversation.

Word lists with this word