全く～ない（まったく～ない）

全く～ない（まったく～ない） means not at all ~. It is a JLPT N2 Japanese grammar pattern used to express that there is absolutely zero degree, amount, or truth to something — complete denial.

This grammar point often appears in essays, formal writing, conversations, and JLPT N2 reading passages. If you want to express that there is absolutely zero degree, amount, or truth to something — complete denial, 全く～ない（まったく～ない） is a useful pattern to learn because it adds natural precision to your Japanese.

What does 全く～ない（まったく～ない） mean?

Use 全く～ない（まったく～ない） when you want to express that there is absolutely zero degree, amount, or truth to something — complete denial.

Natural translations include:

• not at all ~

The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to notice the writer’s or speaker’s purpose first, then choose the English phrase that fits that context.

How to form 全く～ない（まったく～ない）

全く + Verb (ない-form) / 全く + い-adjective (くない) / 全く + な-adjective (ではない)

Examples of the pattern:

• 全く分からない
• 全く面白くない

The form before the grammar point matters. In JLPT questions, the wrong answer choices often use a similar meaning but attach it to the wrong type of word.

When is 全く～ない（まったく～ない） used?

Use 全く～ない（まったく～ない） in situations like:

• expressing absolute, total negation
• expressing personal reactions, reasoning, or observations
• connecting ideas in formal and informal contexts

Tone and register:

• neutral; strong and definitive negation
• Common in test questions, essays, daily conversation, and JLPT N2 reading

全く～ない（まったく～ない） example sentences

• 彼の言っていることは全く理解できない。
• その映画は全く面白くなかった。
• 全く問題ありません。ご心配なく。
• この計画は全く現実的ではない。
• 全く知らない人から電話がかかってきた。

After reading each sentence, ask what job 全く～ない（まったく～ない） is doing: there is absolutely zero degree, amount, or truth to something — complete denial. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation.

Nuance of 全く～ない（まったく～ない）

The key nuance is there is absolutely zero degree, amount, or truth to something — complete denial.

This matters because learners often translate advanced grammar too literally. A pattern may look simple, but it can signal the writer’s attitude, the scope of a rule, or the relationship between two ideas.

For example:

• In context, it carries a specific, nuanced meaning that a simpler pattern would not convey.
• Compared with 全然～ない, it carries a different weight and implication.

全く～ない（まったく～ない） vs 全然～ない

Both 全く～ない（まったく～ない） and 全然～ない can express related ideas, but they are different.

全く～ない（まったく～ない）:

• there is absolutely zero degree, amount, or truth to something — complete denial

全然～ない:

• not at all (more casual)

Quick contrast examples:

• 全く分からない。
• 全然分からない。

If both translations seem possible, check the tone. Is the sentence casual, formal, written, explanatory, or emotional? The tone often tells you which grammar point is natural.

Common mistakes with 全く～ない（まったく～ない）

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Translating it too literally without understanding the nuance
• Using it in contexts where the situation doesn’t match the grammar’s core meaning
• Confusing it with similar-looking but different grammar patterns

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with 全く～ない（まったく～ない）, then rewrite it with 全然～ない. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words.

Is 全く～ない（まったく～ない） on the JLPT?

Yes. 全く～ない（まったく～ない） is commonly taught as JLPT N2 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions often test whether you understand the surrounding context, not just the dictionary meaning.

Practice questions for 全く～ない（まったく～ない）

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Use 全く～ない（まったく～ない） in a sentence about a personal experience or observation.
• Write a sentence where the nuance of 全く～ない（まったく～ない） is necessary.
• Compare 全く～ない（まったく～ない） with 全然～ない in your own example.

Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the nuance becomes clear.

Learning path for 全く～ない（まったく～ない）

To learn 全く～ない（まったく～ない） efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in context.

1. First, make sure you can form 全く～ない（まったく～ない） without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with 全然～ない. These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.
3. Finally, write sentences where 全く～ない（まったく～ない） is necessary; then check whether replacing it with one of the related patterns below changes the meaning.

Related grammar to review next

• ちっとも～ない — because it also expresses complete negation
• どころか — because it also emphatically corrects assumptions
• 得ない（えない） — because it also involves strong logical impossibility

Learn 全く～ない（まったく～ない） with Hane

If you want to review 全く～ない（まったく～ない） together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

• All grammar lessons
• JLPT N2 grammar lessons