Entry
うんと
unto
A word that indicates a very large quantity, a high degree, or a great amount of effort.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
It is used not only to show that there is a lot of something, but also to express that someone is trying very hard or that the degree of a condition is extremely high. It is a casual expression commonly used in daily conversation.
- Large quantity
- High degree
- Great effort
Sense Map
Large quantity
Indicates a very large amount or portion of something.
うんと食べる。
High degree / Effort
Indicates doing something with a lot of effort or an extreme degree of a state.
うんと勉強する。
Usage Note
How to Use
うんと + verb
Placed before verbs like eat, sleep, or study to show that the action is done in a very large amount or with great intensity.
うんと + adjective
Placed before adjectives to emphasize that a condition is at a very strong level (e.g., much colder, very fun).
How to Use
Common Phrases
うんと食べる
Eat a lot
うんと寝る
Sleep a lot
うんと勉強する
Study very hard
うんと考えて
Think very hard
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Daily conversation | neutral | Very common when speaking with friends or family to emphasize amount or degree. |
| Formal contexts | neutral | Best avoided in business or when speaking to superiors, as it sounds too casual. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
がっつり がっつり / nearby | When you want to emphasize doing something solidly, firmly, or eating a hearty, substantial portion. | うんと just means 'a lot' generally, while がっつり has a heavier, more unyielding, and substantial nuance. | がっつり食べる。 |
たっぷり たっぷり / nearby | When there is an abundant or overflowing amount of volume, time, or capacity. | うんと is often used for effort or intensity, while たっぷり focuses on a generous, overflowing supply. | 時間がたっぷりある。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using うんと in a business email or formal setting.
This word is casual. Use 大変 (taihen) or 非常に (hijou ni) in formal situations.
Combining it with a negative verb to mean 'not much', like うんと食べない.
うんと is used for high degrees or amounts. For negative sentences, use あまり (amari) instead.
Examples
Examples
昨日はうんと寝た。
きのうはうんとねた。
I slept a lot yesterday.
LiteralShows a large amount of sleep.
うんと食べて、大きくなってね。
うんとたべて、おおきくなってね。
Eat a lot and grow big.
LiteralOften said to children to encourage them to eat a lot.
テストのためにうんと勉強した。
テストのためにうんとべんきょうした。
I studied very hard for the test.
LiteralEmphasizes the great effort or time spent.
昔の友だちと遊んで、うんと楽しかった。
むかしのともだちとあそんで、うんとたのしかった。
It was a lot of fun hanging out with an old friend.
FigurativeShows a very high degree of positive emotion.
これからうんと寒くなる。
これからうんとさむくなる。
It will get much colder from now on.
LiteralShows a drastic degree of temperature change.
Similar Words
がっつり
gattsuri
Describes doing something heartily, fully, or with great vigor, often used for eating a lot or tackling a task head-on. Emphasizes doing something solidly or a hearty portion.
たっぷり
tappuri
たっぷり describes having an abundant, highly satisfying amount of something or having ample, loose space. Focuses on an overflowing or generous amount of volume or time.
Questions
What is the difference between たくさん (takusan) and うんと (unto)?
Both mean a large amount, but 'unto' is more colloquial, emotive, and can also directly emphasize the degree of physical or mental effort (like studying hard).
Can I use うんと in an academic paper?
No, it is a spoken, casual word and is not suitable for academic or formal writing.
Can it be used to express severe pain?
Usually not. It is more aimed at active actions (working, eating) or large shifts in degree (getting cold), rather than feelings of pain.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2007420
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- うようよ (uyouyo)
- Next entry
- ガクンと (gakunto)