Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "All" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "all", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
一斉に
いっせいに (issei ni)
N3 / 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 一斉に and 一か八か.
In Japanese, 一斉に (いっせいに (issei ni)) is typically associated with "all at once; simultaneously; in unison" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Used to describe an action performed by many people or things at the exact same time. Often conveys a sense of suddenness or uniformity..
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 "一斉に"
合図と共に、選手たちは一斉にスタートした。
At the signal, the athletes all started at once.
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: "合図と共に、選手たちは ＿＿＿ スタートした。" (Meaning: "At the signal, the athletes all started at once.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "一斉に" fits here because it means "all at once; simultaneously; in unison" in the context of: "At the signal, the athletes all started at once.". "一か八か" represents "all or nothing".