How to say "wholly" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- adverb, no-adjectiveCovers 'wholly' in the sense of 'solely, exclusively': energy, time, or attention given to one thing alone. Typical of describing what someone devotes themselves to.
- adverb, no-adjectiveThe general-purpose adverb for 'wholly' as 'entirely, completely'; it simply strengthens a statement, and its 'really, truly' side also serves as plain emphasis.
- adverbUsed when a thing is taken or treated as one undivided whole, 'in its entirety', rather than when a quality is simply complete; it points to the whole object, not a degree.
- 全然ぜんぜんadverbDespite glosses like 'wholly' and 'totally', it normally accompanies a negative predicate and then means 'not at all', so it is seldom the word you want for an affirmative 'wholly'.
- adverbBasically means 'all, everything'; as 'wholly' it presents something as complete in every part or on every point, summing up a totality rather than intensifying one quality.
Use 「まったく」 for plain 'completely', 「もっぱら」 for exclusive focus, 「まるごと」 for something taken whole, 「すべて」 for 'all of it'; 全然 mostly means 'not at all' with negatives.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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