Processing keyword: まったく～ない (mattaku ~nai)

Japanese Grammar Point: まったく～ない (mattaku ~nai)

「まったく～ない (mattaku ~nai)」Grammar Point

1. Introduction

In this lesson, we'll explore the Japanese grammar point 「まったく～ない (mattaku ~nai)」, which is used to express "not at all" or "completely not". Understanding this expression will help you articulate strong negation in Japanese, enhancing your ability to communicate more precisely.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

• まったく～ない is used to emphasize that something does not happen at all or is completely not the case.
• It conveys absolute negation, similar to "not at all," "absolutely not," or "totally not" in English.

Structure

The basic structure of まったく～ない is as follows:

1. まったく + [Verb in negative form]
2. まったく + [い-adjective (－い) + くない]
3. まったく + [な-adjective + ではない/じゃない]
4. まったく + [Noun + ではない/じゃない]

Formation Diagram

3. Comparative Analysis

まったく～ない vs. ぜんぜん～ない

• ぜんぜん～ない (zenzen ~nai) also means "not at all," but まったく～ない often conveys a stronger emphasis.
• まったく is slightly more formal and can express frustration or disbelief more strongly than ぜんぜん.

まったく～ない vs. 少しも～ない

• 少しも～ない (sukoshi mo ~nai) means "not even a little," emphasizing the absence of even a small amount.
• Both expressions indicate total negation, but まったく～ない is more commonly used in everyday language.

4. Examples in Context

Sentence Examples

Formal Situations

1. まったく理解できません。
   • Mattaku rikai dekimasen.
   • I cannot understand it at all.
2. 彼の説明はまったく役に立たない。
   • Kare no setsumei wa mattaku yaku ni tatanai.
   • His explanation is absolutely useless.

Informal Situations

3. 最近、彼女からまったく連絡がない。
   • Saikin, kanojo kara mattaku renraku ga nai.
   • Recently, there's been no contact from her at all.
4. この料理はまったくおいしくない。
   • Kono ryouri wa mattaku oishiku nai.
   • This dish is not tasty at all.

Written Language

5. そのニュースにはまったく驚いた。
   • Sono nyūsu ni wa mattaku odoroita.
   • I was completely surprised by that news.
6. 彼の話はまったくの嘘だ。
   • Kare no hanashi wa mattaku no uso da.
   • His story is an outright lie.

Spoken Language

7. まったく、信じられない！
   • Mattaku, shinjirarenai!
   • Honestly, I can't believe it!
8. まったく困ったものだ。
   • Mattaku komatta mono da.
   • Good grief, this is troubling.

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

• まったく can function as an adverb meaning "completely" or as an interjection expressing frustration, similar to "good grief" or "honestly" in English.
• Using まったく in conversation can convey strong emotion, so it's important to be mindful of the context and the company you're in.

Idiomatic Expressions

• まったくもう
  • An expression used to show exasperation.
  • Mattaku mō.
  • Good grief! / Honestly!
• まったく以て
  • Strengthens the emphasis, meaning "utterly" or "absolutely."
  • Mattaku motte.
  • Absolutely.

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

• Mistake: Using まったく in positive sentences.
  • Incorrect: 彼はまったく元気です。
    • Kare wa mattaku genki desu.
  • Correction: Omit まったく or use とても (totemo).
    • Kare wa totemo genki desu.
    • He is very well.
• Mistake: Confusing まったく with 全く (meaning "entirely") in affirmative contexts.
  • Note: While まったく can mean "entirely," when used with a negative verb, it conveys "not at all."

Learning Strategies

• Tip: Associate まったく with "completely not" to remember it's used with negative forms.
• Practice: Create sentences about things you don't do or dislike using まったく～ない.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• まったく～ない expresses strong negation, meaning "not at all" or "completely not."
• Used with verbs, adjectives, and nouns in their negative forms.
• Conveys stronger emphasis than ぜんぜん～ない and is slightly more formal.
• Can also be used as an interjection to express frustration.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. Translate to Japanese: "I can't sleep at all."
   • Answer: まったく眠れない。
     • Mattaku nemurenai.
2. True or False: まったく can be used in positive sentences to mean "very."
   • Answer: False. It should be used with negative forms to express "not at all."
3. Fill in the blank: この本は_____面白くない。
   • Answer: まったく
     • Kono hon wa mattaku omoshiroku nai.
     • This book is not interesting at all.

By mastering まったく～ない, you'll enhance your ability to express strong negation in Japanese, making your conversations more precise and nuanced.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Core Grammar Explanation
3. Comparative Analysis
4. Examples in Context
5. Cultural Notes
6. Common Mistakes and Tips
7. Summary and Review

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