全然聞く

To make this phrase mean 'not at all,' you need a negative verb. You take 全然 (Zenzen) and pair it with the negative form of 聞く. This becomes 全然聞かない (Zenzen kikanai). If you are talking about right now, use 全然聞いてない (Zenzen kiite-nai). It is a simple formula. Just remember: 全然 + Negative = Zero.

Use this when you are venting to friends. It is perfect for complaining about a stubborn boyfriend or girlfriend. You can use it to describe a child who won't follow rules. It is also great for talking about pets who ignore commands. Basically, use it whenever you feel 100% ignored in a casual setting.

Do not say this directly to your boss. Even if they are actually ignoring you! It sounds very blunt and accusatory. Avoid using it with people you don't know well. It can come off as childish or rude. If you are in a formal meeting, there are much softer ways to say someone isn't listening.

The word 全然 has a very interesting history in Japan. Traditionally, it was strictly used with negative sentences. Teachers would get angry if you used it with positive words. However, young people started using it for emphasis, like 'totally.' Despite this shift, when you want to say someone isn't listening, the old negative rule still applies. It shows the frustration of a total communication breakdown.

You will often hear 全然聞いてくれない (Zenzen kiite kurenai). This adds a nuance of 'they won't listen to me.' It sounds a bit more emotional and sad. Another variation is 全然耳に入らない (Zenzen mimi ni hairanai). This literally means 'it doesn't enter the ears at all.' It is a bit more descriptive and dramatic.