全然勉強する
not at all study
Literalmente: Zenzen (not at all) + Benkyou suru (to study)
Use this to admit you haven't opened a book, especially when bonding over shared procrastination.
En 15 segundos
- Means doing absolutely zero study or preparation.
- Requires a negative verb form to be grammatically correct.
- Commonly used as an excuse or relatable complaint among friends.
Significado
This phrase is used to express that you haven't put in any effort or time into studying. It's the ultimate 'I did zero work' confession you'd tell a friend before a big exam.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Texting a friend the night before a Japanese exam
やばい、全然勉強してない！どうしよう。
Oh no, I haven't studied at all! What should I do?
Admitting the truth to a strict teacher
すみません、昨日は全然勉強しませんでした。
I'm sorry, I didn't study at all yesterday.
Complaining to a classmate at a cafe
昨日から全然勉強する気が起きないんだよね。
I just haven't felt like studying at all since yesterday.
Contexto cultural
This phrase is the centerpiece of the 'I didn't study' lie common in Japanese schools. It reflects a social strategy where appearing to be a natural talent is often preferred over being a 'grind' or 'try-hard.' Interestingly, modern slang has started using 'zenzen' with positive verbs to mean 'totally,' but for studying, the negative meaning still rules.
The Grammar Trap
Remember that `全然` almost always needs a negative verb like `しない` to mean 'not at all.' If you just say `全然勉強する`, people might think you're using modern slang to say you're 'totally' going to study!
The 'Test Lie'
If a Japanese classmate says `全然勉強してない`, don't believe them immediately! It's a common social script to act humble or unprepared.
En 15 segundos
- Means doing absolutely zero study or preparation.
- Requires a negative verb form to be grammatically correct.
- Commonly used as an excuse or relatable complaint among friends.
What It Means
全然勉強する is a bit of a grammar rebel. On its own, 全然 (zenzen) means 'not at all.' In standard Japanese, it usually needs a negative verb like しない (shinai) to make sense. So, when you say you 'not at all study,' you are telling someone that your books are gathering dust. It’s the sound of academic procrastination. You aren't just saying you studied a little; you are saying you did absolutely nothing.
How To Use It
To make this phrase work in a sentence, you almost always need to change する to its negative form: しない (don't) or してない (haven't). If you say 全然勉強してない (Zenzen benkyou shitenai), you’re telling your friends you’ve been playing video games instead of hitting the library. It’s very common in casual conversation. You can drop the い in してない to sound even more relaxed: 全然勉強してなーい.
When To Use It
Use this when you’re panicking with classmates five minutes before a test. It’s also great for being honest with your parents or teachers when they ask why your grades are slipping. It’s a very 'human' expression. It shows vulnerability or just plain honesty about your laziness. You’ll hear it in school hallways, at cafes where people are 'supposed' to be working, and in late-night texts.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this in a job interview or a formal report. Saying you 'not at all study' makes you look unreliable in professional settings. Also, don't use it if you actually *did* study. There is a specific type of social friction that occurs when someone says 全然勉強してない and then gets an A+. That’s a quick way to lose friends! Keep it for moments of genuine (or relatable) failure.
Cultural Background
In Japan, there is a funny social phenomenon among students. Many will claim 全然勉強してない even if they studied for hours. Why? It’s a way to manage expectations. If they fail, they have an excuse. If they succeed, they look like geniuses. It’s a humble-bragging defense mechanism. This phrase is the unofficial anthem of Japanese high school and college life.
Common Variations
全然勉強してない(Zenzen benkyou shitenai): I haven't studied at all (Standard casual).全然勉強しなかった(Zenzen benkyou shinakatta): I didn't study at all (Past tense).全く勉強してない(Mattaku benkyou shitenai): A slightly more formal/stronger way to say 'absolutely zero study.'全然勉強できてない(Zenzen benkyou dekitenai): I haven't been *able* to study at all (Adds a bit of 'it's not my fault' energy).
Notas de uso
The phrase is inherently informal. While the grammar technically requires a negative ending, the 'not at all' meaning is so strong that the negative verb is the most important part to get right.
The Grammar Trap
Remember that `全然` almost always needs a negative verb like `しない` to mean 'not at all.' If you just say `全然勉強する`, people might think you're using modern slang to say you're 'totally' going to study!
The 'Test Lie'
If a Japanese classmate says `全然勉強してない`, don't believe them immediately! It's a common social script to act humble or unprepared.
Adding Emphasis
If you want to sound even more dramatic, stretch out the 'ze' in 'zenzen' like this: `ぜんっぜん勉強してない!` It adds a punch of frustration.
Ejemplos
6やばい、全然勉強してない！どうしよう。
Oh no, I haven't studied at all! What should I do?
The 'yabai' adds a sense of urgency and panic.
すみません、昨日は全然勉強しませんでした。
I'm sorry, I didn't study at all yesterday.
Uses the polite 'shimasen deshita' form while remaining honest.
昨日から全然勉強する気が起きないんだよね。
I just haven't felt like studying at all since yesterday.
Focuses on the lack of motivation rather than just the action.
三連休、遊びすぎて全然勉強してなーい！笑
I played too much over the three-day weekend and didn't study at all! lol
The 'na-i' ending makes it sound lighthearted and playful.
全然勉強しなかったから、当然の結果だよね。
I didn't study at all, so this result is expected, right?
Expresses self-reflection and a bit of sadness.
私たち、集まったのに全然勉強してなくない？
Haven't we like... not studied at all even though we met up?
The double negative 'shitenaku-nai' is very common slang for 'don't you think?'.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence to say 'I haven't studied at all' in a casual way.
明日テストなのに、___勉強してない。
`全然` is the only option that pairs with the negative `してない` to mean 'not at all.'
Which verb ending correctly completes the phrase 'Zenzen benkyou...' to mean 'did not study'?
昨日は全然勉強___。
`しなかった` is the past negative form, which is required after `全然` to mean 'did not study at all.'
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Ayudas visuales
Formality of 'Zenzen Benkyou (Negative)'
Used with close friends, often dropping particles.
全然勉強してなーい
Standard daily conversation with peers.
全然勉強してない
Talking to teachers or superiors politely.
全然勉強しませんでした
When to confess your lack of study
Before an exam
Bonding over shared panic
With parents
Explaining a bad grade
In a diary
Regretting a lazy day
At a cafe
Distracted by friends
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasOriginally, it meant 'entirely' or 'completely,' but it is now almost exclusively used with negative verbs to mean 'not at all' (e.g., 全然わからない - I don't understand at all).
In modern slang, yes! People say 全然大丈夫 (Zenzen daijoubu) to mean 'completely fine.' However, with 'study,' it usually stays negative.
It's neutral. To be truly polite to a teacher, use 全然勉強しませんでした (Zenzen benkyou shimasen deshita).
It's a cultural way to avoid being seen as arrogant or to lower expectations so they don't look bad if they fail.
全然 is more common in daily speech, while 全く (Mattaku) feels a bit stronger or more formal.
You should use あまり勉強してない (Amari benkyou shitenai) for 'not much.'
Yes, adults use it for certifications, language learning, or work-related training. It's not just for kids!
Yes! You can say 全然おいしくない (Zenzen oishikunai) for 'not delicious at all.'
全然勉強してない (Zenzen benkyou shitenai) is the most natural casual version.
Usually, yes. It sets the 'zero' tone for the rest of the sentence.
Frases relacionadas
全く勉強しない
Absolutely do not study (stronger than zenzen).
勉強不足
Lack of study (often used as a formal apology).
サボる
To slack off or skip out on responsibilities.
一夜漬け
Cramming all night (the result of not studying earlier).
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