全く～ない
Not~at all
Structure
Explanation
全く～ない is a grammatical structure that pairs the adverb 全く with a negative verb or adjective ending in ない. This creates a strong negation, typically translated as 'not... at all'. The meaning 'completely not' or 'entirely not' is derived from the kanji 全, which signifies 'whole' or 'total'.
Similar to other adverbs, まったく can be positioned at the start of the sentence for emphasis, or placed immediately before the negative phrase it modifies.
- この料理は全く辛くないですよ。This dish isn't spicy at all.
- 彼の話は全く面白くない。His stories aren't interesting in the slightest.
- 友達が「このゲームは簡単だよ」って言ってたけど、全く簡単じゃない。My friend said, 'This game is easy,' but it's not easy at all.
- 全く英語が話せないので、海外旅行は難しいです。I can't speak English at all, so traveling abroad is difficult.
You will frequently encounter まったく written with kanji (全く) as well as only in hiragana. It is best to get used to seeing both versions.
Caution
The meaning of まったく is quite close to 全然, as both adverbs are used to emphasize a total absence of something. The main difference is nuance; まったく carries a slightly more serious or formal tone, making it more common in written Japanese. In contrast, 全然 is used much more often in casual conversation.
- 全く覚えていませんので、もう一度説明していただけますか。I don't remember at all, so could you please explain it again?
- 全然疲れてないよ。心配しないで。I'm not tired at all. Don't worry.
Examples
彼が何を言っているのか、全く分からない。
I have no idea what he is saying at all.
その夜のことは、全く覚えていない。
I don't remember anything about that night at all.
私はスポーツには全く興味がない。
I have absolutely no interest in sports.
この二つのデザインは全く違わない。
These two designs are not at all different.
このカレーは見た目と違って、全く辛くない。
Unlike how it looks, this curry is not spicy at all.
隣の部屋の音は全く聞こえません。
I can't hear any noise from the next room at all.
昨日の夜は、全く寝られなかった。
I couldn't sleep at all last night.
彼の日本語は全く進歩がない。
His Japanese has shown no progress whatsoever.
その事件と彼は全く関係がないはずだ。
He should have absolutely no connection to that incident.
この古い辞書は全く役に立たない。
This old dictionary is not useful in the slightest.
お化け屋敷に入ったけど、全く怖くなかった。
We went into the haunted house, but it wasn't scary at all.
会社を辞めたことに全く後悔はない。
I have no regrets at all about quitting my job.