Translation guide
The English word "whole" can refer to an entire thing, all parts of something, or completeness. In Japanese, the most common way to express this is with 全体 (zentai) for the whole of something, or 全部 (zenbu) for all of something. The choice depends on whether you're emphasizing the entirety as a unit or every individual part.
Referring to something in its entirety, as a single unit or area.
Refers to the whole of something as a single entity. Often used with nouns to mean 'the whole X'.
The whole town was quiet.
Means 'all' or 'the whole amount'. Emphasizes every part or item, rather than the unity.
Using 全部 for 'the whole town' (町全部) is possible but less natural than 全体 when emphasizing the area as a unit.
Prefix meaning 'whole' or 'all'. Attaches to nouns to form compounds like 全世界 (the whole world), 全国 (the whole country).
The whole world is watching.
Means 'whole' in the sense of 'entirely, in one piece'. Often used for food or objects swallowed or moved whole.
Referring to every part, member, or element of a group.
The most common word for 'all' or 'the whole of' when counting items or parts.
Emphasizing that something is complete, unbroken, or not divided into parts.
Adjectival noun meaning 'complete' or 'whole'. Often used for abstract concepts.
Using 'whole' as a noun, e.g., 'the whole of Japan'.
Attach 全体 to a noun to mean 'the whole of X'.
全体 (zentai) treats the object as a single whole, while 全部 (zenbu) focuses on the individual parts that make up the whole. For example, 体全体 (karada zentai) means 'the whole body' as one entity, whereas 体全部 (karada zenbu) could imply 'every part of the body' separately. In many cases they are interchangeable, but 全体 is preferred for geographical areas and abstract unities.
The whole town participated in the festival. (as a community)
I spent the whole day reading.
Natural Japanese uses 一日中 (all day long) rather than a direct 'whole day'.
My whole body hurts.
ケーキを全部食べた。
I ate the whole cake.
魚を丸ごと焼いた。
I grilled the fish whole.
I finished the whole homework.
The whole class participated.
More formal/literary than 全部. Means 'all' or 'everything'.
The whole of humanity should be happy.
Specifically for 'all members' or 'the whole group' of people.
The whole family went on a trip.
This is not a whole list.
Again, for physical wholeness, especially food or objects kept intact.
I bit into the whole apple.
Means 'entirely' or 'just as it is', often used when something is taken or left whole.
My whole wallet was stolen.
The whole of Japan was affected.
Also possible, but 全体 is more common for areas or abstract wholes.
The whole of the world is not like that.
The whole town participated in the festival. (every person)
The loanword ホール (hōru) means 'hall' or 'whole' in limited contexts like 'whole note' (全音符) or 'whole wheat' (全粒粉). It is not a general translation for 'whole'.
The whole truth came out.
全て (subete) fits abstract 'whole truth' better than 全体.