全然～ない means not at all. It is a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar pattern used to express this idea in natural Japanese.
This English meaning is chosen independently from the source-list gloss so it stays natural, concise, and useful for learners searching for 全然～ない.
What does 全然～ない mean?
Use 全然～ない when you want to express not at all in a Japanese sentence.
Natural translations include:
- not at all
- to express “not at all” naturally
- the closest natural meaning in context
How to form 全然～ない
全然 + negative expression
Examples of the pattern:
- 全然 + negative expression
- 全然～ない
- related form: まったく
When is 全然～ない used?
Use 全然～ない in situations like:
- reading or writing JLPT N4-level sentences
- making a sentence more precise than a basic N5 pattern
- recognizing natural grammar in conversation, signs, or short passages
Tone and register:
- usually neutral unless the pattern itself is casual, formal, or written
- common in JLPT N4 grammar study and everyday Japanese
全然～ない example sentences
- 日本語は全然難しくないです。 — Japanese is not difficult at all.
- 今日は全然寒くありません。 — It is not cold at all today.
- 彼の話が全然分かりません。 — I do not understand his story at all.
- お腹は全然すいていません。 — I am not hungry at all.
- この問題は全然できませんでした。 — I could not do this problem at all.
Nuance of 全然～ない
The key nuance is not at all in context, not a word-for-word English replacement.
This matters because 全然～ない can express ability, comparison, intention, appearance, effort, or difficulty depending on the surrounding sentence. Read the whole sentence before choosing the English translation.
全然～ない vs まったく
Both patterns can appear in related sentences, but they do different jobs.
全然～ない:
- is the target JLPT N4 pattern in this lesson
- focuses on not at all
まったく:
- is useful for comparison because learners often confuse nearby forms
- may change the tone, direction, evidence, or sentence focus
Quick contrast examples:
- Target pattern: 日本語は全然難しくないです。 — Japanese is not difficult at all.
- Related pattern with まったく: compare what changes in difficulty, comparison, intention, appearance, or certainty.
Common mistakes with 全然～ない
Watch out for these mistakes:
- Copying a dictionary gloss without checking the sentence context
- Using the wrong verb, adjective, or noun form
- Confusing 全然～ない with まったく because the English can sound similar
Is 全然～ない on the JLPT?
Yes. 全然～ない is connected to JLPT N4 grammar in this blog.
That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences
Practice questions for 全然～ない
Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Write one short sentence using the basic structure.
- Replace the subject, time, or object and keep the same grammar point.
- Compare your sentence with the related pattern above.
Learn 全然～ない with Kanjiru
If you want to review 全然～ない together with kanji, vocabulary, and other JLPT N4 patterns, Kanjiru helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
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