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

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

Grammar Point: まったく～ない (mattaku ~nai)

Introduction

The expression まったく～ない (mattaku ~nai) is used in Japanese to emphasize the total negation of something. It conveys the meaning of "not at all" or "completely not." This grammar point can add a strong tone of negation to a sentence, making it clear that not even a bit of the noun or verb being discussed is true or existent.

Core Grammar Explanation

Detailed Explanation

• Meaning: まったく (mattaku) means "completely" or "entirely," while ～ない (~nai) is the negative form of a verb or adjective. Together, they form a phrase that indicates total negation.

• Structure:

  • まったく + Negative Verb/Adjective
  • Example: まったく食べない (mattaku tabenai) – "I don’t eat at all."

Formation Diagram

  [まったく] + [Verb/Adjective in negative form] 
       ↓ 
     Complete Negation

Comparative Analysis

Comparison with Similar Grammar Points

• 全然～ない (zenzen ~nai): This is another form of expressing complete negation, but まったく is often perceived as stronger or more emphatic compared to 全然. For example:
  • まったく分からない (mattaku wakaranai) – "I do not understand at all."
  • 全然分からない (zenzen wakaranai) – "I do not understand at all" (less emphatic).
• 少しも～ない (sukoshi mo ~nai): Also means "not even a little," but is less commonly used and not as strong as まったく.

Examples in Context

Sentence Examples

1. Formal Context:
   • 日本の歴史がまったくわからない。
   • (Nihon no rekishi ga mattaku wakaranai.)
   • "I do not understand Japanese history at all."
2. Informal Context:
   • 彼の意見にはまったく興味がないよ。
   • (Kare no iken ni wa mattaku kyōmi ga nai yo.)
   • "I have no interest in his opinion at all."
3. Written Context:
   • まったく新しいアイデアが必要です。
   • (Mattaku atarashii aidea ga hitsuyō desu.)
   • "We need completely new ideas."
4. Spoken Context:
   • 最近のニュースはまったく楽しくない。
   • (Saikin no nyūsu wa mattaku tanoshikunai.)
   • "Recent news is not fun at all."

Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

• The usage of まったく~ない can reflect a person's strong feelings or emotions about a topic. In a culture that values harmony (wa), such strong negations can come off as blunt, so it's important to gauge the context and use it appropriately.

Idiomatic Expressions

1. まったくもう (mattaku mō) – "Good grief!" (expresses frustration)
2. まったく信じられない (mattaku shinjirarenai) – "I can't believe it at all."

Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

• Misplacing まったく: Learners might mistakenly place まったく after the verb rather than before.
• Using with Positive Forms: Remember that it should always be followed by a negative form (～ない).

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device: Think of "まったく" (mattaku) as "mat" where nothing is on the mat (total emptiness).

Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• まったく～ない emphasizes complete negation.
• It can be used in formal, informal, written, and spoken contexts.
• It is stronger than 全然～ない or 少しも～ない.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. What does まったく (mattaku) mean in English?
2. How do you form a sentence with まったく～ない?
3. Give an example sentence using まったく～ない in an informal context.

This concludes the detailed explanation of the grammar point まったく～ない (mattaku ~nai). Use this information to practice forming sentences and understanding its implications in conversations.