synonym Comparative
是非
VS
到底
Differences Between "是非" and "到底"
Option A
是非
Meaning
by all means; definitely; right or wrong; pros and cons
Reading
ぜひ (zehi)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
来週のパーティーにぜひ来てください。
Please definitely come to next week's party.
Option B
到底
Meaning
(not) possibly, (not) by any means, (not) at all (with negative verb)
Reading
とうてい (toutei)
Syllabus Level
N1
Practical Example
この量の仕事を一人で今日中に終わらせるのは到底無理だ。
It's absolutely impossible to finish this amount of work by myself today.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(by all means; definitely; right or wrong; pros and cons)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 是非: Has two main meanings: 1) "by all means/definitely" (often used with requests or invitations to express strong desire or recommendation), 2) "pros and cons / right and wrong" (usually in formal contexts, e.g., 是非を問う - to question the right or wrong). The first meaning is more common in daily N2 usage.
- 到底: Always used with a negative verb or phrase, meaning 'absolutely impossible,' 'no way,' or 'cannot possibly.' It strongly emphasizes the impossibility. (常に否定形と一緒に使い、「どうしても～ない」「とても～できない」という強い不可能を表す。)
- 是非: Has two main meanings: 1) "by all means/definitely" (often used with requests or invitations to express strong desire or recommendation), 2) "pros and cons / right and wrong" (usually in formal contexts, e.g., 是非を問う - to question the right or wrong). The first meaning is more common in daily N2 usage.
- 到底: Always used with a negative verb or phrase, meaning 'absolutely impossible,' 'no way,' or 'cannot possibly.' It strongly emphasizes the impossibility. (常に否定形と一緒に使い、「どうしても～ない」「とても～できない」という強い不可能を表す。)
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