Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 3: 11/18

全然(ぜんぜん)(Not) at all

Slang: totally・completely, exceptionally

Structure

ぜんぜん + Phrase
ぜんぜん + (Negative) Phrase

Details

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About ぜんぜん

In Japanese, there are several adverbs that are traditionally used exclusively with negative expressions (containing ない). 全然(ぜんぜん) is one of them. When used at the beginning of a ない (or ません) containing phrase, 全然（ぜんぜん) has the meaning of 'completely not (A)', or 'not (A) at all'.

In writing, it is equally as natural to use either 全然(ぜんぜん) as kanji, or hiragana only, so both forms may be used confidently.

ぜんぜん is more flexible (and friendly sounding) in casual conversation than 全(まった)く, a similar expression which has a formal (often negative) nuance.

While both of these sentences have the meaning of 'not (A) at all', まったく could give the listener the impression that you are not pleased with the situation. This will depend quite a bit on tone of voice, though.

Caution

Despite originally being used only with negative expressions, it is becoming more and more common for ぜんぜん to appear with positive expressions as well. In these cases, it just has the meaning of 'totally (A)', or 'completely (A)'.

  • 明日(あした)？全然(ぜんぜん)いいよ！
    Tomorrow? That's completely fine!
Although this is technically not grammatically correct, it is becoming so frequently used that it is considered correct by most people (especially the younger generation).

Examples

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    着物(きもの)が全然(ぜんぜん)似合(にあ)わない。

    Kimonos don't look good on me at all.

    全然(ぜんぜん)頑張(がんば)りたいと思(おも)わない。

    I don't feel like trying at all.

    私(わたし)は全然(ぜんぜん)英語(えいご)を話(はな)せないです。

    I can't speak English at all.

    あなたは全然(ぜんぜん)理解(りかい)が出来(でき)ていないね。

    You don't understand at all do you?

    今(いま)、機嫌(きげん)が悪(わる)くて、全然(ぜんぜん)嬉(うれ)しくならない。

    I'm in a bad mood right now and there's no way at all I'll become happy.

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