まったく

§ What does 「まったく」 mean and when do people use it?

You're learning Japanese, and you've probably come across adverbs like とても (very) or 少し (a little). Today, we're diving into another common adverb: 「まったく」 (mattaku). At first glance, it means "entirely" or "completely." Simple enough, right? Not quite. While it can mean that, its most common and crucial use is actually in negative sentences, where it strongly emphasizes the negativity. Think of it as saying "not at all" or "absolutely not." This is super important to remember, as using it incorrectly can change the nuance of your sentence completely.

Let's break down its two main uses. First, the straightforward meaning of "entirely" or "completely." You'll see it in positive sentences, but it's less frequent than its negative counterpart. For example, if something is completely different, you might use 「まったく違います」. It highlights the completeness of a state or action. However, be aware that this usage is sometimes considered a bit more formal or literary, though still perfectly understandable.

Translation hint

His story is entirely different from the truth.

The second, and by far most common, use of 「まったく」 is with negative expressions. When you combine 「まったく」 with a negative verb or adjective, it intensifies the negation. It makes the statement much stronger than just using the negative form alone. Imagine you're trying to say "I don't understand at all." In Japanese, that would be 「まったく分かりません」. Without 「まったく」, it would just be 「分かりません」 (I don't understand), which is softer. The addition of 「まったく」 adds that emphasis of "not even a little bit" or "absolutely not."

This negative usage is incredibly versatile and you'll hear it constantly in daily conversation. You can use it to express strong disagreement, a complete lack of understanding, or that something is not happening at all. For example:

• To express not understanding: 「彼の言っていることがまったく理解できません。」(I don't understand what he's saying at all.)
• To express not knowing: 「そのニュースについてはまったく知りませんでした。」(I didn't know anything at all about that news.)
• To express something not happening: 「今日はまったくやる気がありません。」(I have no motivation at all today.)

Let's look at another example of 「まったく」 in a negative context:

Translation hint

I couldn't do the exam today at all.

Notice how it strengthens the idea of being unable to do something. Without 「まったく」, the sentence would still mean "I couldn't do the exam today," but the emphasis on the complete failure wouldn't be as strong. This is why 「まったく」 is so useful in daily conversation – it allows for more precise and emphatic expression of complete absence or inability.

Understanding the distinction between its positive and negative uses is key to sounding natural in Japanese. While its positive use exists, you'll encounter its negative pairing much more frequently. Pay attention to how native speakers use it in various contexts, and you'll quickly get a feel for its nuance. Don't be afraid to experiment with it in your own sentences, always keeping in mind its strong intensifying effect, especially in negative statements.

§ Understanding まったく (mattaku)

Hello everyone! Today we're going to break down the Japanese adverb まったく (mattaku). This is a really useful word that you'll hear all the time in everyday conversation, news, and even at work or school. It's classified as a B1 level word, so it's essential for anyone serious about understanding natural Japanese.

Japanese Word

まったく (mattaku)

Part of Speech

Adverb

CEFR Level

B1

Definition

Entirely, completely. It often carries a negative connotation, emphasizing a complete lack of something or a total failure.

§ Where you actually hear this word — work, school, news

Let's look at how まったく is used in various real-world situations. This isn't just a textbook word; it's part of daily Japanese life.

§ At Work

In a professional setting, まったく can be used to express frustration or a complete lack of progress or understanding. It's a strong way to convey a sense of 'nothing at all' or 'not at all'.

Hint

This project is not progressing *at all*.

Hint

I couldn't understand his explanation *at all*.

§ At School

In an academic context, students might use まったく to describe how difficult something is, or how unprepared they feel. Teachers might use it to talk about a student's lack of effort or understanding.

Hint

I couldn't do *anything* on today's test. / I *completely* failed today's test.

Hint

It seems he *doesn't understand* this problem *at all*.

§ In the News

News reports often use まったく to emphasize a complete lack of progress, a total denial, or an unexpected turn of events. It adds a strong, definite tone to the statement.

Hint

The government has *not commented at all* on this issue.

Hint

The suspect *completely denies* the charges.

§ Common Phrases with まったく

You'll often hear まったく used in specific common phrases. Knowing these will boost your comprehension significantly.

• まったく〜ない (mattaku ~ nai): This is the most common negative construction, meaning "not at all" or "not ~ completely."

  私は日本語がまったく話せません。

  Hint

  I cannot speak Japanese *at all*.

• まったくその通り (mattaku sono tōri): This means "exactly right" or "that's absolutely true." While まったく often has a negative sense, in this fixed phrase, it's used for strong affirmation.

  A: 「今日の会議は長すぎましたね。」B: 「まったくその通りです。」

  Hint

  A: "Today's meeting was too long, wasn't it?" B: "That's *absolutely* right."

By understanding these real-world applications, you'll be able to not only recognize まったく but also use it effectively yourself. Keep practicing, and you'll master this word in no time!

Let's be direct: Many learners mess up まったく. It's a common adverb, but it has specific uses. Don't just throw it in when you want to say 'completely.' It often carries a negative nuance. Understanding this nuance is key to using it correctly.

§ Mistake 1: Using Mattaku for Positive 'Completely'

This is the biggest trap. If you want to say something is 'completely good' or 'completely finished' in a positive sense, まったく is usually not the right choice. It strongly implies a negative outcome or a lack of something. For positive 'completely,' words like 完全に (kanzen ni) or すっかり (sukkari) are much better.

Bad Example

このケーキはまったく美味しい。 (This cake is completely delicious.) - This sounds unnatural and wrong because 'delicious' is a positive word.

Good Alternative

このケーキはすごく美味しい。 (This cake is very delicious.) or このケーキはとても美味しい。 (This cake is very delicious.)

§ Mistake 2: Not Using Mattaku with Negative Forms

When まったく is used for emphasis, it almost always partners with negative verb forms (〜ない, 〜ません) or negative adjectives. It strengthens the negative statement. For instance, まったくわからない means 'I completely don't understand' or 'I don't understand at all.' If you say まったくわかる, it's incorrect.

§ Mistake 3: Overusing Mattaku as a Simple Intensifier

While まったく emphasizes, it's not a generic intensifier like 'very' (とても, すごく) or 'really' (本当に). It specifically emphasizes the *degree* of something, often a negative degree or a total lack thereof. If you just want to say something is 'really amazing,' 本当に素晴らしい is better than trying to force まったく素晴らしい.

Correct Use (with negative implication)

彼の話はまったく信じられない。 (His story is totally unbelievable.) - Here, 'unbelievable' is negative, so まったく fits.

§ Summary of Mattaku Usage

Here’s a quick recap to avoid those common mistakes:

• Use まったく with negative forms (〜ない, 〜ません) to mean 'not at all,' 'entirely not,' 'completely not.'

• It can express strong agreement or exasperation ('Exactly!', 'Indeed!'), often in response to a negative statement or situation, but this is a specific conversational use.

• Avoid using it with positive adjectives or verbs if you mean 'completely' in a good sense.

Pay attention to context. If you hear まったく, expect a negative follow-up or a strong sense of a complete lack of something.