Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "大丈夫", "全部", "思い切り", "ことごとく"
All represent the core concept "all", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
大丈夫
だいじょうぶ (daijōbu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
全部
ぜんぶ (zenbu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
思い切り
おもいきり (omoikiri)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
ことごとく
ことごとく (kotogotoku)
N3 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "all" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "大丈夫", "全部", "思い切り", "ことごとく" based on context.
- 大丈夫 (だいじょうぶ (daijōbu) - Level: N5): Maps to "all right, okay, no problem" and is used when An な-adjective. Used to confirm safety, well-being, or acceptability. Can also be used to refuse politely..
- 全部 (ぜんぶ (zenbu) - Level: N4): Maps to "all; whole; entirely" and is used when Used to mean 'all' or 'everything'. Can modify nouns or act as an adverb meaning 'completely'. For people, 皆.
- 思い切り (おもいきり (omoikiri) - Level: N3): Maps to "with all one's might, to one's heart's content, resolutely, boldly" and is used when Expresses doing something without hesitation or regret, often with intensity or to the fullest extent. Can also mean "as much as one wants" or "boldly". The form 「思い切って」 is also common..
- ことごとく (ことごとく (kotogotoku) - Level: N3): Maps to "all, entirely, without exception" and is used when An adverb meaning 'completely' or 'everything without exception'. It implies that nothing was left out. Can be used for positive or negative outcomes, often used in more formal or literary contexts..
Context for "大丈夫"
転んでしまいましたが、大丈夫です。
I fell down, but I'm okay.
Context for "全部"
このケーキを全部食べました。
I ate this whole cake.
Context for "思い切り"
今日は仕事を忘れて、思い切り遊ぼう!
Let's forget about work today and play to our heart's content!
Context for "ことごとく"
彼の計画はことごとく失敗に終わった。
All his plans ended in failure.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "転んでしまいましたが、 ___ です。" (Meaning: "I fell down, but I'm okay.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "大丈夫" is correct here because it represents "all right, okay, no problem" in the context: "I fell down, but I'm okay.".