Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "あまり", "ぜんぜん", "別に", "〜だけでなく", "さほど"
All represent the core concept "not", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
あまり
あまり (amari)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
ぜんぜん
ぜんぜん (zenzen)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
別に
べつに (betsuni)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
〜だけでなく
〜だけでなく (〜dake de naku)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
さほど
さほど (sahodo)
N2 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "not" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "あまり", "ぜんぜん", "別に", "〜だけでなく", "さほど" based on context.
- あまり (あまり (amari) - Level: N5): Maps to "not much, not very (used with negative verb)" and is used when Adverb. Always used with a negative form of a verb or adjective.
- ぜんぜん (ぜんぜん (zenzen) - Level: N5): Maps to "not at all, completely (used with negative verb)" and is used when Adverb. Stronger negation than あまり.
- 別に (べつに (betsuni) - Level: N4): Maps to "(not) particularly; separately" and is used when 多くの場合、否定形と共に使われ、「特に〜ではない」という意味を表します。また、「別々に」という意味もあります。.
- 〜だけでなく (〜だけでなく (〜dake de naku) - Level: N3): Maps to "not only... but also..." and is used when Indicates that something applies not just to one thing, but to another as well, often emphasizing the second part. Connects two pieces of information..
- さほど (さほど (sahodo) - Level: N2): Maps to "not particularly, not so much (used with a negative verb)" and is used when Always used with a negative expression to indicate that something is not to that extent or degree. Often implies 'not as much as one might expect.'.
Context for "あまり"
私はあまりテレビを見ません。
I don't watch TV much.
Context for "ぜんぜん"
私は日本語がぜんぜん分かりません。
I don't understand Japanese at all.
Context for "別に"
このケーキは別に好きじゃないです。
I don't particularly like this cake.
Context for "〜だけでなく"
彼は日本語だけでなく、英語も話せる。
He can speak not only Japanese but also English.
Context for "さほど"
その映画は前評判ほどさほど面白くなかった。
That movie wasn't as interesting as its initial reputation suggested.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "私は ＿＿＿ テレビを見ません。" (Meaning: "I don't watch TV much.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "あまり" is correct here because it represents "not much, not very (used with negative verb)" in the context: "I don't watch TV much.".