Translation guide
The English word 'everything' refers to all things, the whole situation, or the most important thing. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent that works in all contexts. The best choice depends on whether you mean 'all things', 'anything and everything', 'the whole situation', or 'the most important thing'. This guide covers the most common and natural ways to express these nuances.
Referring to every single thing, object, or matter without exception.
The most common and neutral word for 'everything'. Can be used in both spoken and written Japanese. It refers to all things in a given context.
Very common in casual speech. Emphasizes the entirety of a set or group. Slightly more concrete than 全て.
全部食べた。
I ate everything.
問題は全部解決した。
All the problems have been solved.
Emphatic, meaning 'anything and everything'. Often used when feeling overwhelmed or when emphasizing totality.
何もかもうまくいかない。
Nothing is going right. (lit. Everything is going wrong.)
何もかも捨てて旅に出たい。
I want to leave everything behind and go on a journey.
Literary or formal. Means 'every possible thing'. Used in written language or formal speeches.
あらゆるものが変化する。
Everything changes.
Referring to the overall state of affairs or what matters most.
Also used for abstract 'everything' as in 'the whole situation'.
もうすべてが嫌になった。
I'm sick of everything.
Means 'more than anything' or 'above all'. Used when 'everything' means 'the most important thing'.
Literally 'the most important thing'. A direct way to express that something is everything.
家族が一番大事なことだ。
Family is everything.
Used in expressions like 'everything from A to Z' or 'everything under the sun'.
Pattern for 'everything from X to Y'. Replace ～ with items.
この店は食べ物から飲み物まで何でも売っている。
This store sells everything from food to drinks.
Emphatic: 'every single thing imaginable'. Stronger than あらゆるもの.
ありとあらゆるものを試した。
I tried everything under the sun.
Expressing that everything is okay or that nothing is important.
English uses 'everything' in many idiomatic ways that don't directly map to Japanese. For example, 'Is everything okay?' is usually 大丈夫ですか (daijoubu desu ka) without any word for 'everything'. 'Everything is ready' is 準備ができました (junbi ga dekimashita). Always consider the natural Japanese expression for the situation.
全て (subete) is more abstract and formal, while 全部 (zenbu) is more concrete and casual. 全部 is often used for countable items or a defined set. 全て can refer to intangible things or the whole of existence. In many cases they are interchangeable, but 全部 sounds more colloquial.
全てを理解するのは難しい。
It's difficult to understand everything.
全部食べちゃった。
I ate everything (up).
健康が何より大切だ。
Health is more important than anything. (Health is everything.)
何よりもうれしいです。
I'm happier than ever. (This means everything to me.)