余念がない · i-adjective
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 余念がない | 余念がなくない |
| Polite | 余念がないです | 余念がなくないですalso 余念がなくありません |
| Past polite | 余念がなかったです | 余念がなくなかったですalso 余念がなくありませんでした |
| Past | 余念がなかった | 余念がなくなかった |
| Te-form | 余念がなくて | 余念がなくなくて |
| Adverbial | 余念がなく | |
| Conditional | 余念がなければ | 余念がなくなければ |
| Tara conditional | 余念がなかったら | 余念がなくなかったら |
single-minded; completely absorbed; devoted entirely to one thing
Describes a state of being so focused on one thing that no other thoughts intrude. Often used in the pattern 〜に余念がない.
He is completely absorbed in his research.
The children were completely engrossed in their play.
夢中 means 'absorbed' or 'crazy about' and can be used for hobbies or infatuation, whereas 余念がない emphasizes the absence of other thoughts during focused work or activity.
Standard kanji spelling.
Variant using 無い for ない; slightly more formal or emphatic.
From 余念 (よねん, 'other thoughts') + がない ('there is no'), literally 'there are no other thoughts'. The expression is straightforward and its meaning is transparent from its components.