Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "All" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "all", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
全部
ぜんぶ (zenbu)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
すべからく
すべからく (subekaraku)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "all" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 全部 and すべからく.
In Japanese, 全部 (ぜんぶ (zenbu)) is typically associated with "all; whole; entirely" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Used to mean 'all' or 'everything'. Can modify nouns or act as an adverb meaning 'completely'. For people, 皆.
On the other hand, すべからく (すべからく (subekaraku)) maps to "by all means, should" (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 "全部"
このケーキを全部食べました。
I ate this whole cake.
Bilingual Context for "すべからく"
私はすべからくに興味があります。
I am interested in by all means, should.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "このケーキを ＿＿＿ 食べました。" (Meaning: "I ate this whole cake.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "全部" fits here because it means "all; whole; entirely" in the context of: "I ate this whole cake.". "すべからく" represents "by all means, should".