Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Entirely" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "entirely", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
専ら
もっぱら (moppara)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
ことごとく
ことごとく (kotogotoku)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "entirely" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 専ら and ことごとく.
In Japanese, 専ら (もっぱら (moppara)) is typically associated with "entirely, wholly, solely, mostly, exclusively" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Indicates that something is done primarily, exclusively, or almost entirely for a particular reason or by a particular means. あることだけが主な理由や手段であることを強調する。.
On the other hand, ことごとく (ことごとく (kotogotoku)) maps to "entirely, all" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "entirely" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "専ら"
最近の彼の関心は専らアニメだ。
Recently, his interest is exclusively in anime.
Bilingual Context for "ことごとく"
私はことごとくに興味があります。
I am interested in entirely, all.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "最近の彼の関心は ＿＿＿ アニメだ。" (Meaning: "Recently, his interest is exclusively in anime.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "専ら" fits here because it means "entirely, wholly, solely, mostly, exclusively" in the context of: "Recently, his interest is exclusively in anime.". "ことごとく" represents "entirely, all".