Translation guide
The English word 'never' is used to express that something does not happen at any time, or has not happened up to now. In Japanese, there is no single word that directly translates to 'never' in all contexts. Instead, you use negative verb forms combined with time expressions or adverbs. The most common pattern is 〜たことがない (have never done), but other structures are used for future intentions, habitual non-occurrence, and emphatic denial.
日本に行ったことがありません。
I have never been to Japan.
絶対に諦めません。
I will never give up.
彼は全然テレビを見ません。
He never watches TV.
To say that you have never had a particular experience up to the present moment.
This is the standard way to say 'have never done' something. It uses the past plain form of a verb + ことがない. It emphasizes lack of experience.
日本に行ったことがない。
I have never been to Japan.
そんな話は聞いたことがない。
I've never heard such a story.
Similar to 〜たことがない, but with は instead of が, it adds a slight contrastive emphasis, often implying 'at least that experience, I haven't had'.
海外で働いたことはない。
I have never worked abroad.
Used to say 'haven't done yet', implying it might happen in the future. It can sometimes translate to 'never' when the context is about something not yet experienced.
まだ富士山に登っていない。
I have never climbed Mt. Fuji (yet).
To express a strong determination or promise that you will not do something at any time in the future.
This is a very common and emphatic way to say 'will never'. 絶対に means 'absolutely' and is used with a negative verb.
絶対に諦めない。
I will never give up.
彼には絶対に言わないで。
Never tell him.
To say that something does not happen at any time, as a general rule or habit.
全然 means 'at all' and with a negative verb it means 'never' in the sense of 'not at all'. Very common in casual speech.
彼は全然テレビを見ない。
He never watches TV.
Literally 'not even once', this emphasizes that something has never occurred even a single time.
To tell someone not to worry about something, or to retract a statement.
Means 'don't worry about it' or 'never mind'. Used when someone apologizes or seems concerned.
気にしないで、大丈夫だから。
Never mind, it's okay.
To strongly deny that something is true or possible.
Means 'there is no way that...' or 'it cannot be that...'. Used to express strong disbelief.
彼がそんなことをするはずがない。
He would never do such a thing.
Similar to はずがない, meaning 'there is no reason that...' or 'it's impossible that...'. Slightly more logical/rational.
English 'never' is often translated as 決して〜ない or 絶対に〜ない, but these can sound overly dramatic or formal in casual contexts. For everyday 'never', use 〜たことがない for past experiences, or 全然〜ない for habits.
〜たことがない emphasizes lack of experience (never done before). 〜ていない simply states that something hasn't been done yet, and may imply it will be done later. Use 〜たことがない when you mean 'never in my life'.
寿司を食べたことがない。
I've never eaten sushi (in my life).
まだ寿司を食べていない。
I haven't eaten sushi yet (today).
Literally 'not again a second time', this is used for 'never again'. It strongly implies a past negative experience that will not be repeated.
二度とそんなことはしない。
I will never do such a thing again.
A formal and emphatic way to say 'never'. Often used in written language or serious speech.
決して忘れません。
I will never forget.
彼女は一度も遅刻したことがない。
She has never been late, not even once.
まったく means 'completely' and with a negative it means 'never' or 'not at all'. Slightly more emphatic than 全然.
彼はまったく運動しない。
He never exercises at all.
Means 'it's nothing' or 'never mind'. Used when you want to dismiss what you just said or when someone asks what's wrong.
あ、なんでもない。
Oh, never mind.
Literally 'forget it', used casually to mean 'never mind' or 'drop it'.
もういい、忘れて。
Forget it, never mind.
彼女が嘘をつくわけがない。
She would never lie.