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How to say "Not" in Japanese

Both words can translate to "not", but which should you choose?

Japanese Option A

到底

とうてい (tōtei)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B

いっさい

いっさい (issai)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus

Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference

When translating "not" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 到底 and いっさい. In Japanese, 到底 (とうてい (tōtei)) is typically associated with "(not) possibly, (not) by any means, utterly" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents This adverb is almost always used with negative verbs or expressions to emphasize the impossibility or extreme difficulty of something. It expresses that something cannot happen no matter what.. On the other hand, いっさい (いっさい (issai)) maps to "(not) at all, absolutely (not), entirely (without)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Used with negative verbs to emphasize a complete lack or absence of something. Stronger than 全然. A literal translation of "not" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "到底"
この荷物は一人では到底持ち上げられない。
This luggage cannot possibly be lifted by one person alone.
Bilingual Context for "いっさい"
私はその件について、いっさい知りません。
I know absolutely nothing about that matter.

Nuance Mastery Quiz

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "この荷物は一人では ___ 持ち上げられない。" (Meaning: "This luggage cannot possibly be lifted by one person alone.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "到底" fits here because it means "(not) possibly, (not) by any means, utterly" in the context of: "This luggage cannot possibly be lifted by one person alone.". "いっさい" represents "(not) at all, absolutely (not), entirely (without)".