全く～ない is an expression that combines the adverb 全く, with a phrase that uses another word in its ない form. It is often translated as 'not at all (A)'. Literally, it is closer to 'completely not (A)', or 'entirely not (A)', coming from the kanji 全's meaning of 'whole'.
Like many other adverbs, まったく may be used at the beginning of a sentence, or directly before the word that it is describing as being 'not at all' (A).
It is common to see this expression using both the kanji form, and plain hiragana form of 全く, so both should be learned early.
Caution
まったく is very similar to 全然, another grammar point that is used to highlight the complete lack of something. However, まったく tends to sound a little bit more serious, and is therefore more likely to be used in formal writing/situations. 全然 on the other hand is far more common in casual speech.
En lien
Exemples
--:--
彼は全く勉強しない。
He does not study at all.
全く変化がない。
There is no change at all.
全く負けたことがない。
I have never lost. Ever.
全く学ぶつもりがない。
I have no intention of learning at all.
実は全く泳げないんです。
To be honest, I can't swim at all.
Obtenez plus d'exemples !
Les utilisateurs Premium ont accès à 12 phrases d'exemple pour chaque point de grammaire.
あんたに褒められても全く嬉しくない。
Even if I did get complimented by you, it wouldn’t make me happy at all.
I was reading as:
Even if you get complemented, it wouldn’t make you happy at all
What grammar detail makes it the first translation as opposed to the second? And how would one write the second instead? Thanks!
BreadmanNin
The trick is in the particle. There’s a short explanation on it in the れる・られる (Passive) grammar lesson. When a verb is in the れる・られる form, に marks the doer of the verb. The subject of the sentence is marked with は or が as usual.
あんたに褒められても全く嬉しくない。
Even if I did get complimented by you, it wouldn’t make me happy at all.
あんたは褒められても全く嬉しくない。
Even if you get complemented, it wouldn’t make you happy at all.
An example sentence where both the doer and the receiver are clearly marked:
山田くんはかわいい新しい先生に褒められた。うらやましい…
Yamada-kun got praised by the cute new teacher. I’m so jealous…
darzington
Amazing, thank you! (Such a small, yet significant difference between the two sentences, wow)
Des questions à propos de 全く～ない ? Rejoignez-nous pour discuter, poser vos questions et apprendre ensemble !
