The Meaning of mattaku [全く] In Japanese

全く
まったく
Romaji: mattaku N3

What does 全く mean?

Translation and Meaning

completely, utterly, absolutely, not at all (in negative contexts)

Definition

全く is a degree adverb meaning completely or absolutely; used to intensify a statement and is most common with negation, though it can appear with positive predicates for strong emphasis.

Type

adverb (副詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • extreme degree: completely, utterly, absolutely
  • negation emphasis: paired with ない form to express not at all
  • emphatic oral usage: adds strong emotion in casual speech

Composition

  • 全 = whole, entire
  • 無 = nothing, absence
  • combined as an idiomatic adverb, they form a fixed intensifier meaning completely or utterly

Usage

Used as an adverb in both casual and formal Japanese; typically precedes the verb or adjective it modifies; before negative verbs, it is placed directly before the verb; common in phrases like 全く知らない, 全く問題ない; in formal writing, use sparingly to avoid excessive emphasis.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: think of 全 as ‘all’ and 無 as ‘none’—together they drive the meaning of mattaku as an all-encompassing, absolute degree, like turning a dial from zero to everything at once.

Variations

  • 完全に (kanzen ni) — completely
  • すっかり (sukkari) — utterly / entirely
  • 全然 (zenzens) — not at all (negative context); can be used in positive sense in some modern speech
  • 少しも (sukoshi mo) — not even a little

Example Phrases

  • 今日は 全く 手伝いがなく 家事が 山積みだ
    Kyou wa mattaku tetsudai ga naku kaji ga yamazumi da
    Today there is absolutely no help, and the housework is piling up.
    Lista:
    • 今日は (kyou wa) – today
    • 全く (mattaku) – completely
    • 手伝いがなく (tetsudai ga naku) – without help
    • 家事が (kaji ga) – housework
    • 山積みだ (yamazumi da) – is piled up
    全く is an adverb that intensifies negation; here 「全く」 emphasizes that there is no help.
全く