GRAMMAR DETAIL
全然〜ない
Is used with a negative expression to indicate that a state or action does not hold at all.
Examples
この店は全然高くないです。
This shop is not expensive at all.
Words used
彼の名前を全然覚えていない。
I do not remember his name at all.
Words used
説明を聞いても全然分かりませんでした。
Even after listening to the explanation, I did not understand it at all.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure:
全然is readぜんぜんand combines here with a negative predicate. - Basic usage: It strongly negates a state, as in
彼の名前を全然覚えていない。.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Strength compared with あまり
全然分からないexpresses lack of understanding more strongly thanあまり分からない. The latter leaves room for some understanding.
- Time and politeness
- In
全然分かりませんでした, the following verb marks past tense and politeness.全然itself does not determine tense; this entry covers its use with negation.
- In