全く

• Reading: まったく
• Romaji: mattaku
• Kanji breakdown: 全 (zen/matta) — complete, whole, entire
• Pronunciation: /ma.tːa.kɯ/

Meaning

Completely; entirely; really; truly. Expresses totality or strong emphasis.

A versatile adverb with two main uses. With negatives: 全く分からない (I don't understand at all), 全く問題ない (no problem whatsoever). As an intensifier: 全くその通り (absolutely right). Also used as an exclamation expressing exasperation: 全く！(honestly! / good grief!). One of the most common emphasis adverbs in Japanese, appearing in both formal writing and casual speech.

Examples

1. 彼の言っていることが全くわからない。 I have absolutely no idea what he's talking about.
2. 今日は全く予定がないからゆっくりしよう。 I have no plans at all today, so let's take it easy.
3. 全く、何度言ったら覚えるんだろう。 Honestly, how many times do I have to say it before you remember?

Usage Guide

Context: emphasis, negation, exasperation

Tone: emphatic

Origin & History

From the kanji 全 (zen/matta, complete/whole) plus the adverbial suffix く. The kanji 全 depicts something enclosed entirely, symbolising completeness and totality.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal