What does 全 mean in Japanese?
全 means “all” or “whole.” You will often see it in 全部 (zenbu, all of it) and 全然 (zenzen, not at all).
It also begins words such as 全国 (zenkoku, the whole country).
Reading
On’yomi: ゼン (zen)
Kun’yomi: まった-く (matta-ku), すべ-て (sube-te)
Basic Information
| Kanji | 全 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | all, whole |
| Stroke Count | 6 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
How to Understand This Kanji
全部 is the everyday word for “all” or “everything,” while 全て is a little more formal and common in writing. 全然 is usually followed by a negative, as in 全然分からない (I don’t understand at all). In casual speech it is also used with positive words, as in 全然大丈夫 (totally fine).
Common Words
- 全部（ぜんぶ / zenbu） — all, everything
- 全然（ぜんぜん / zenzen） — (not) at all
- 全国（ぜんこく / zenkoku） — the whole country, nationwide
- 安全（あんぜん / anzen） — safety; safe
- 全体（ぜんたい / zentai） — the whole
- 全く（まったく / mattaku） — completely; (not) at all
Example Sentences
-
宿題は全部終わりました。
しゅくだいはぜんぶおわりました。 / Shukudai wa zenbu owarimashita.
I’ve finished all my homework.
-
この本は全然難しくなかったです。
このほんはぜんぜんむずかしくなかったです。 / Kono hon wa zenzen muzukashiku nakatta desu.
This book wasn’t difficult at all.
-
この道は夜も明るくて安全です。
このみちはよるもあかるくてあんぜんです。 / Kono michi wa yoru mo akarukute anzen desu.
This street is bright and safe even at night.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
安全 (anzen, safety) ends with 全, and you will see it on signs such as 安全第一 (safety first). 全く can mean “completely,” as in 全く同じ (exactly the same), or, with a negative, “not at all,” much like 全然.
Summary
Use 全部 for “all” in daily speech, 全然 with a negative for “not at all,” and remember 全 in words such as 全国 and 安全.
Want to study more JLPT N4 kanji by theme? See our JLPT N4 Kanji Study List.