Translation guide
Expresses totality, completeness, or an extreme degree. Often used for emphasis with negative or absolute states.
Emphasize that something is done to the fullest extent or without exception.
Common adverb meaning 'completely' or 'entirely'. Often used with negatives or to express strong agreement.
Express that something is unquestionably true or extreme.
Intensify an adjective or verb to the highest degree.
English 'utterly' often pairs with negative adjectives (e.g., utterly ridiculous). In Japanese, choose an adverb that matches the intensity and formality of the context. Overusing 全く may sound too strong or old-fashioned in casual speech.
全く (mattaku) is more subjective and often used with verbs of thinking or feeling. 完全に (kanzen ni) is more objective and used with states or results. 全く忘れた (I utterly forgot) vs. 完全に破壊された (utterly destroyed).
もうへとへとだ。
I'm utterly exhausted.
Natural colloquial expression; 'utterly' is conveyed by the emphatic もう and the mimetic word へとへと.
それは全くばかげている。
That's utterly ridiculous.
全く同感です。
I utterly agree.
彼の説明は全く理解できなかった。
I utterly failed to understand his explanation.
Means 'completely' or 'perfectly'. Emphasizes that nothing is lacking or that a state is absolute.
その計画は完全に失敗した。
The plan utterly failed.
Indicates a complete change of state or that something is done thoroughly. Often used for forgetting or becoming.
すっかり忘れていた。
I utterly forgot.
With a negative verb, means 'not at all' or 'utterly not'. Stronger and more formal than 全く.
彼は一切関与していない。
He is utterly uninvolved.
Can also mean 'absolutely' when emphasizing a statement. Often used in exclamations.
全くその通りだ。
That's utterly true.
Means 'really' or 'truly'. Used to emphasize sincerity or degree.
本当に驚いた。
I was utterly surprised.
Means 'exactly' or 'precisely'. Emphasizes that something is the perfect example.
それはまさに驚異的だ。
That is utterly astonishing.
Formal adverb meaning 'extremely'. Often used in written or formal speech.
極めて重要な問題だ。
It's an utterly important issue.
Common intensifier meaning 'very' or 'extremely'. Slightly less formal than 極めて.
非常に困難な状況だ。
It's an utterly difficult situation.
Colloquial intensifier meaning 'tremendously' or 'awfully'. Adds emotional emphasis.
ものすごく疲れた。
I'm utterly exhausted.