全然言う

Think of it as a green light for your voice. You use it when someone asks if you are okay with saying something potentially awkward or bold. You just attach 言う (to say) after 全然. In casual speech, you might add a particle like よ at the end to sound more natural. It is like saying, 'Yeah, I'd totally say that, no big deal!' It is punchy, quick, and very modern.

Use this with your friends or people your own age. It is perfect for those 'Should I tell them?' moments. If a friend is scared to tell a waiter their order is wrong, you can jump in. You are at a restaurant, your friend is shy, and you say, 'I'll totally say it!' It is also great for texting. It shows you are confident and easy-going about communication.

Do not use this with your boss or a teacher. To older generations or in formal settings, using 全然 with a positive verb sounds 'broken' or uneducated. It is like using 'hella' in a job interview. If you are in a business meeting, stick to proper grammar. Avoid it if you are trying to be extremely polite or if you are in a situation where traditional language is expected.

The 'Affirmative Zenzen' is a fascinating linguistic shift. For decades, Japanese students were taught that 全然 must end in ない (negative). However, around the 1990s, youth culture flipped the script. It became a way to add intense emphasis to positive feelings. It reflects a shift toward more expressive, less rigid communication among younger Japanese people. It is the sound of a language evolving in real-time!

You will often hear 全然言える (zenzen ieru), which means 'I can totally say it.' Another common one is 全然言っていいよ (zenzen itte ii yo), meaning 'It is totally okay to say it.' If you want to be slightly less slangy but still casual, you might say 全然言いますよ (zenzen iimasu yo). Each variation keeps that 'no problem' energy while shifting the nuance slightly.