Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "All" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "all", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
ぜんいん
ぜんいん (zen'in)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
そっくり
そっくり (sokkuri)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "all" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between ぜんいん and そっくり.
In Japanese, ぜんいん (ぜんいん (zen'in)) is typically associated with "all members, everyone" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Emphasizes that every single person in a group or specific context is included. 「全員参加」.
On the other hand, そっくり (そっくり (sokkuri)) maps to "all; altogether; entirely; just like; the spitting image of" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Can be used in two main ways: 1. To mean 'entirely' or 'all of it'. A literal translation of "all" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "ぜんいん"
会議室に全員集まってください。
Please gather everyone in the meeting room.
Bilingual Context for "そっくり"
彼は父親にそっくりだ。
He is just like his father.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "会議室に全員集まってください。" (Meaning: "Please gather everyone in the meeting room.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "ぜんいん" fits here because it means "all members, everyone" in the context of: "Please gather everyone in the meeting room.". "そっくり" represents "all; altogether; entirely; just like; the spitting image of".