全然

How to remember it

全 (all) + 然 (state) — the whole state, often negated to 'not at all.'

Example sentences

• 全然わかりません。

  ぜんぜんわかりません。

  I don't understand at all.

• 全然問題ありません。

  ぜんぜんもんだいありません。

  There's no problem at all.

Usage

Traditionally with negatives ('not at all'); casual speech also affirms ('totally').

Related words