Translation guide
The English word "totally" is used to emphasize completeness, agreement, or degree. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent; the best choice depends on whether you mean "completely," "I totally agree," or casual emphasis like "totally!"
Expressing that something is done to the fullest extent or without exception.
The most direct and common adverb for "completely" or "entirely." Works in both positive and negative sentences. Slightly formal but used in everyday speech.
Means "completely" or "perfectly," often implying a state of perfection or thoroughness. More common in written or formal contexts.
I totally forgot.
Conveys a sense of "completely" with a nuance of change over time or thoroughness, often used when something has become a certain way. Common in spoken Japanese.
Used in comparisons meaning "totally like" or "just like." Often paired with ようだ or みたい. Not a standalone "totally."
Strongly agreeing with someone.
Literally "exactly that way," a standard way to say "totally agree" or "absolutely."
Using "totally" as a casual intensifier or standalone exclamation, like "totally!" or "that's totally cool."
Very common casual/slang term meaning "seriously" or "for real." Can be used as an exclamation ("Totally!") or to emphasize adjectives.
Totally? / Seriously?
Emphasizing a negative statement.
The standard pattern for "totally not" or "not at all." Place the negative verb or adjective after 全く.
I totally don't understand.
English speakers often use "totally" as a filler or casual intensifier. In Japanese, overusing 全く or 完全に can sound stiff or unnatural. In casual conversation, opt for 超, めっちゃ, or マジで when you just want to add emphasis.
That's totally awesome!
全く (mattaku) is more formal and often used in both positive and negative sentences. 全然 (zenzen) is primarily used with negatives in standard Japanese, though casual positive use (全然いい = totally fine) is common among younger speakers. For learners, stick to negative uses of to be safe.
I totally forgot about the meeting.
There's totally no problem.
その計画は完全に失敗した。
The plan totally failed.
すっかり暗くなった。
It's gotten totally dark.
I had totally forgotten.
It's totally like a dream.
I think that's totally right.
Means "I really think so," a natural way to express strong agreement.
I totally think so.
A shorter, more casual version of 全くその通り, meaning "exactly" or "you're totally right."
A noun meaning "agreement" or "same feeling." Often used in the phrase 同感です (I totally agree). Slightly formal.
I totally agree.
That's totally crazy/amazing.
A prefix meaning "super" or "totally," used before adjectives. Very casual.
Totally fun!
I'm totally exhausted.
Kansai-dialect origin but now used nationwide in casual speech. Means "very" or "totally."
That's totally great!
Slang meaning "seriously" or "for real," similar to マジで but slightly more intense or youthful.
It's totally delicious (for real).
It's totally not interesting.
Means "not at all" and is very common in casual speech. Can also be used positively in slang, but standard use is negative.
Totally no problem.
Literally "not even a little," a stronger way to say "totally not."
I'm not tired at all.
That movie was totally boring.
Totally! Let's do it.