Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Completely" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "completely", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
全く
まったく (mattaku)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
根も葉もない
ねもはもない (nemohamonai)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "completely" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 全く and 根も葉もない.
In Japanese, 全く (まったく (mattaku)) is typically associated with "completely; entirely; truly; (with negative) not at all" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to a state being completely/entirely so, or expressing complete disagreement/agreement. When used with negative verbs, means 'not at all'.
On the other hand, 根も葉もない (ねもはもない (nemohamonai)) maps to "completely groundless" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "completely" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "全く"
最新世代のスマートエコ冷却ファンを搭載した結果、サーバー起動時の高負荷な騒音が_______聞こえなくなりました。
As a result of equipping the latest generation smart eco-friendly cooling fan, the high-load noise at the time of server startup has completely stopped being heard at all.
Bilingual Context for "根も葉もない"
これはとても根も葉もないですね。
This is very completely groundless, isn't it?
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "最新世代のスマートエコ冷却ファンを搭載した結果、サーバー起動時の高負荷な騒音が_______聞こえなくなりました。" (Meaning: "As a result of equipping the latest generation smart eco-friendly cooling fan, the high-load noise at the time of server startup has completely stopped being heard at all.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "全く" fits here because it means "completely; entirely; truly; (with negative) not at all" in the context of: "As a result of equipping the latest generation smart eco-friendly cooling fan, the high-load noise at the time of server startup has completely stopped being heard at all.". "根も葉もない" represents "completely groundless".