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    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 全然

    全然

    全然

    This word means 'not at all'. You use it with a negative verb. It can also mean 'never'.

    N5KMT1NeutralStandardAdverbial ConstructionMixedQuantifiers And FrequencyGrammar

    全然 + ... + Negative FormPrimary

    This word means 'not at all'. You use it with a negative verb. It can also mean 'never'.

    日に本ほん語ごが全ぜん然ぜん分わかりません。

    I don't understand Japanese at all.

    PoliteNon PastNegativeSentence EndingDeclarativeEducationCore Concepts
    これ、全ぜん然ぜんいけるじゃん!

    Hey, this is totally great! (lit. 'this totally works!')

    CasualNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingEmphaticFood & Dining
    全ぜん然ぜん勉べん強きょうしなかったので、試し験けんに落おちてしまいました。

    Because I didn't study at all, I ended up failing the exam.

    NeutralPastNegativeMid SentenceDeclarativeEducation
    この映えい画がは全ぜん然ぜん面おも白しろくなかったです。

    This movie wasn't interesting at all.

    PolitePastNegativeSentence EndingDeclarativeMusic & Entertainment
    最さい近きん、彼かれは全ぜん然ぜん電でん話わしてこない。

    Lately, he doesn't call at all.

    CasualNon PastNegativeSentence EndingDeclarativeFamily & Relationships

    This word usually goes with 'no' or 'not'. But sometimes, people use it with 'yes' words. They use it to mean 'very' or 'totally'. Some people might think this is not correct. It is like saying 'very not good' instead of 'not good at all'.

    全然 (zenzen) means "not at all." It shows a full stop. あまり (amari) means "not much." It shows a small amount. For example, "I don't drink alcohol at all" uses 全然 (zenzen). "I don't drink alcohol much" uses あまり (amari).

    Don't use this when you want to describe a noun directly. For example, you cannot say "全然本" (zenzen hon). You must put a verb or adjective after it.

    Contrasts with(1)

    いつも

    This word means 'always'. You use it when something happens all the time. It shows no breaks or changes.

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    Related concepts for this entry

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    • いつも

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    • 〜あまり

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