散々・散散|さんざんsanzan[0]heiban (flat)

Common
Which spelling to use
散々散々 is the most common written form and the recommended choice for beginners. It is written entirely in kanji.
散散散散 is a less common written variant of 散々. It is also written entirely in kanji, but learners will encounter 散々 more often.
Definitions
  1. na-adjective, adverbthoroughly; completely; utterly
  2. na-adjective, adverbseverely; harshly; terribly; miserably; wretchedly; badly
    彼女かのじょはさんざん私の事ことをののしった。↗
    She called me many terrible things.
  3. na-adjectivescattered; disconnected; dispersed; smashed into tiny pieces
Conjugation
Plain form散々(さんざん)
Polite (desu)散々です(さんざんです)
Negative (dewa nai)散々ではない(さんざんではない)
polite (dewa arimasen)散々ではありません(さんざんではありません)
Past (datta)散々だった(さんざんだった)
Past negative (dewa nakatta)散々ではなかった(さんざんではなかった)
Te form (de)散々で(さんざんで)
Adverbial (ni)散々に(さんざんに)
Conditional (nara)散々なら(さんざんなら)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • RelatedひどいNeutralAn adjective covering cruelty and general badness, the most versatile of the group; 「散々」 works mostly as an adverb for being put through the wringer.
  • RelatedむごいNeutralSuggests cruelty or scenes too dreadful to watch, with a heavy tone; 「散々」 stresses a miserable experience or sheer degree.
  • RelatedこっぴどいCasualColloquial for harshly, severely; typically as 「こっぴどく叱られる」, getting a real dressing-down.
  • Antonym立派りっぱNeutralMeans splendid or impressive; stands opposite the disastrous, miserable outcome that 「散々」 describes.
  • Antonym素晴らしいすばらしいNeutralMeans wonderful, amazing; the opposite of 「散々」 when it means utterly miserable.

Use 「散々」 for being put through the wringer or a miserable outcome, as in 「散々な目に遭う」. For badness in general say 「ひどい」; for a harsh scolding, 「こっぴどく」. 「立派」 and 「素晴らしい」 are the positive opposites.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. 残のこすところがないさま。はなはだしいさま。
  2. ひどいさま。みじめなさま。
  3. 残のこすところなく。はなはだしく。ひどく。散々さんざんに。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

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