Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "All" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "all", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
そっくり
そっくり (sokkuri)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
一か八か
いちかばちか (ichikabachika)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "all" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between そっくり and 一か八か.
In Japanese, そっくり (そっくり (sokkuri)) is typically associated with "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'.
On the other hand, 一か八か (いちかばちか (ichikabachika)) maps to "all or nothing" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "all" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "そっくり"
彼は父親にそっくりだ。
He is just like his father.
Bilingual Context for "一か八か"
私は一か八かに興味があります。
I am interested in all or nothing.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼は父親に ＿＿＿ だ。" (Meaning: "He is just like his father.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "そっくり" fits here because it means "all; altogether; entirely; just like; the spitting image of" in the context of: "He is just like his father.". "一か八か" represents "all or nothing".