一向に
Meanings
The most common modern use. It appears with a negative predicate such as ない, ぬ, ません, or a negative-feeling expression, emphasizing that there is no change, progress, effect, concern, etc.
The rain shows no sign of stopping at all.
Even after hearing the explanation, I did not understand it at all.
completely; absolutely; totally
An emphatic degree adverb meaning fully or absolutely. In modern Japanese it often occurs with predicates that are positive in form but express being unaffected, unconcerned, or acceptable, such as 平気だ.
Even when criticized, he looked completely unbothered.
earnestly; intently; single-mindedly
Rare and old-fashioned as an adverb meaning to do something single-mindedly or intently; modern Japanese would more often use ひたすら, 一心に, or 熱心に.
In older writing, 一向に念仏を唱える can mean 'to chant prayers single-mindedly.'
Usage patterns
- 一向に〈動詞〉ないto show no sign of doing something at all
No matter how much he practices, his skill shows no improvement at all.
- 一向に平気だto be completely unfazed/unaffected
Even after receiving harsh criticism, she was completely unfazed.
- 一向に気にしないto not mind at all
He doesn't care at all about what others think of him.
- 一向に構わないto not mind at all; to be perfectly fine with something
It's totally fine even if you're a bit late.