Ways to Say "Very" in Japanese

The standard word is とても (totemo), which is safe in polite and neutral situations. In casual conversation Japanese speakers mostly use すごく or めっちゃ, while 非常に and 大変 belong to formal and written Japanese.

The most common way

totemo

Very, quite — the neutral, all-purpose intensifier that fits most situations.

How to say it: Say it flat and even, toh-teh-moh, with no stress on any one syllable; English speakers tend to punch the first syllable, which sounds unnatural.

Other ways to say it

casual
sugoku
Really, super — the everyday spoken intensifier that young and middle-aged adults use constantly in relaxed conversation.
When to use it: Use it with friends, family or colleagues you are close to; it is friendly but a bit too loose for a formal email.
slang (young, casual)
metcha
Seriously, super — emphatic slang originally from the Kansai region, now common among younger speakers nationwide.
When to use it: Use it with close friends or on social media; avoid it with a boss, a customer or anyone you have just met.
slang prefix
〜
chō
Ultra-, super- — a prefix glued directly onto a word for a punchy, exaggerated effect.
When to use it: Use it in joking, enthusiastic talk among friends or in online posts, never in polite or written Japanese.
measured, neutral
kanari
Considerably, fairly — strong but slightly more objective and understated than とても.
When to use it: Use it when you want to sound level-headed, including in polite speech and simple business conversation.
formal, written
hijō ni
Extremely, highly — a stiff, precise intensifier typical of reports, news and formal speech.
When to use it: Use it in presentations, written reports or formal statements rather than in everyday chat.
polite, formal spoken
taihen
Very, greatly — a courteous intensifier that also carries a tone of seriousness or apology.
When to use it: Use it when speaking politely to superiors, customers or strangers, especially in thanks and apologies.

In a conversation

A
、。
Kono mise no rāmen, sugoku oishii ne.
The ramen at this shop is really good, isn't it?
B
、。。
Un, shikamo yasui. Kanari kayotte ru yo.
Yeah, and it's cheap too. I come here pretty often.
A
。
Jā tsugi mo koko de kimari da ne.
Then it's settled — here again next time.

Common mistakes

~~とてもおいしくないです。~~ → あまりおいしくないです。
With a negative, とても means "can't possibly", so it sounds like "I couldn't possibly eat it" rather than "it's not very tasty"; use あまり for "not very".
~~「寒いですか」「とてもです。」~~ → 「寒いですか」「はい、とても寒いです。」
とても cannot stand alone as an answer; it has to sit directly in front of the word it intensifies.
~~社長、超お世話になっております。~~ → 社長、大変お世話になっております。
超 and めっちゃ are casual slang and sound flippant in business Japanese, where 大変 or 非常に is expected.