Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 1: 15/22

(まった)く~ないNot~at all

Structure

まったく + Phrase[ない]

Details

  • Standard

About 全く~ない

全く~ない is an expression that combines the adverb (まった)く, with a phrase that uses another word in its ない form. It is often translated as 'not at all (A)'. Literally, it is closer to 'completely not (A)', or 'entirely not (A)', coming from the kanji (ぜん)'s meaning of 'whole'.

Like many other adverbs, まったく may be used at the beginning of a sentence, or directly before the word that it is describing as being 'not at all' (A).

It is common to see this expression using both the kanji form, and plain hiragana form of (まった)く, so both should be learned early.

Caution

まったく is very similar to 全然(ぜんぜん), another grammar point that is used to highlight the complete lack of something. However, まったく tends to sound a little bit more serious, and is therefore more likely to be used in formal writing/situations. 全然(ぜんぜん) on the other hand is far more common in casual speech.



Examples

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  • (かれ)(まった)勉強(べんきょう)ない

    He does not study at all.

  • (まった)変化(へんか)ない

    There is no change at all.

  • (まった)()けたことがない

    I have never lost. Ever.

  • (まった)(まな)ぶつもりがない

    I have no intention of learning at all.

  • (じつ)(まった)(およ)ないんです。

    To be honest, I can't swim at all.

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全く~ない – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (4 in total)

  • darzington

    darzington

    For this example sentence:

    あんたに褒められても全く嬉しくない。
    Even if I did get complimented by you, it wouldn’t make me happy at all.

    I was reading as:

    Even if you get complemented, it wouldn’t make you happy at all

    What grammar detail makes it the first translation as opposed to the second? And how would one write the second instead? Thanks!

  • BreadmanNin

    BreadmanNin

    The trick is in the particle. There’s a short explanation on it in the れる・られる (Passive) grammar lesson. When a verb is in the れる・られる form, に marks the doer of the verb. The subject of the sentence is marked with は or が as usual.

    あんた褒められても全く嬉しくない。
    Even if I did get complimented by you, it wouldn’t make me happy at all.

    あんた褒められても全く嬉しくない。
    Even if you get complemented, it wouldn’t make you happy at all.

    An example sentence where both the doer and the receiver are clearly marked:
    山田くんかわいい新しい先生褒められた。うらやましい…
    Yamada-kun got praised by the cute new teacher. I’m so jealous…

  • darzington

    darzington

    Amazing, thank you! (Such a small, yet significant difference between the two sentences, wow)

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