全然言う
not at all say
字面意思: completely say / not at all say
Use it to confidently tell friends you have no problem speaking your mind.
15秒了解
- Used to express total willingness to speak up or say something.
- Modern slang that uses a 'negative' word for positive emphasis.
- Best for casual conversations with friends or peers.
意思
It means 'I'll totally say it' or 'I have no problem saying that.' It is a modern, informal way to show you are willing to speak up without hesitation.
关键例句
3 / 6At a restaurant with a shy friend
店員さんに全然言うよ！
I'll totally tell the waiter!
Discussing a secret with a partner
私は本当のことを全然言うタイプだよ。
I'm the type who totally tells the truth.
A friend asks if they can mention your name
名前、全然言っていいよ！
You can totally say my name!
文化背景
Traditionally, 'zenzen' required a negative verb, but modern slang has turned it into a general intensifier like 'totally.' This shift is often debated by language purists in Japan but is widely accepted in casual daily life. It represents the 'New Japanese' (Shin-Nihongo) used by younger generations.
The 'Zenzen' Flip
If you want to sound like a local, use 'zenzen' with positive adjectives like 'oishii' (delicious). It's the ultimate 'cool' intensifier.
Grammar Police Alert
Older Japanese people might think you're making a mistake. Use it with caution around people over 60 unless you're very close.
15秒了解
- Used to express total willingness to speak up or say something.
- Modern slang that uses a 'negative' word for positive emphasis.
- Best for casual conversations with friends or peers.
What It Means
全然言う is a bit of a rebel in the Japanese language. Traditionally, 全然 (zenzen) was only supposed to be used with negative verbs to mean 'not at all.' But things changed! Nowadays, people use it with positive verbs to mean 'totally' or 'completely.' When you say 全然言う, you are telling someone that you are 100% willing to speak up. It shows you have zero hesitation about expressing an opinion or delivering a message.
How To Use It
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.
When To Use It
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.
When NOT To Use It
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.
Cultural Background
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!
Common Variations
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.
使用说明
This is high-energy slang. Use it to show enthusiasm or lack of fear in social situations, but keep it away from formal documents or elders.
The 'Zenzen' Flip
If you want to sound like a local, use 'zenzen' with positive adjectives like 'oishii' (delicious). It's the ultimate 'cool' intensifier.
Grammar Police Alert
Older Japanese people might think you're making a mistake. Use it with caution around people over 60 unless you're very close.
The Power of 'Yo'
Adding 'yo' at the end of 'Zenzen iu' makes you sound much more confident and helpful. It adds that 'I've got this!' energy.
例句
6店員さんに全然言うよ！
I'll totally tell the waiter!
The speaker is offering to handle a request the friend is too shy to make.
私は本当のことを全然言うタイプだよ。
I'm the type who totally tells the truth.
Expressing a personality trait of being blunt or honest.
名前、全然言っていいよ！
You can totally say my name!
Giving enthusiastic permission to be mentioned.
結末？全然言うよ、聞きたい？
The ending? I'll totally say it, you want to hear?
A slightly mischievous offer to spoil a story.
行かないって全然言うわ。
I'm totally gonna say I'm not going.
Showing no hesitation in declining an invitation.
「好き」って全然言うべきだよ！
You should totally say 'I love you'!
Giving strong, supportive advice to be bold.
自我测试
Your friend is nervous to complain about cold food. Tell them you'll do it.
私が___言うよ！
`全然` is used here to show you have 'zero' hesitation.
Choose the most natural ending for a casual conversation.
本当のこと、全然___。
`言うよ` matches the informal, slangy vibe of `全然` in this context.
🎉 得分： /2
视觉学习工具
How Formal is '全然言う'?
Used with close friends and peers.
全然言うよ！
Borderline acceptable in some casual workplaces.
全然言いますよ。
Avoid. Use '全く問題ありません' instead.
N/A
When to use '全然言う'
Ordering for a shy friend
I'll tell the waiter.
Giving permission
You can totally say it.
Being honest
I'll speak my mind.
Texting friends
I'll tell him later.
常见问题
10 个问题Technically, no. Traditional grammar requires a negative verb. However, in modern spoken Japanese, it is widely used and understood.
Absolutely not. It is too casual and considered slang. Use はっきり申し上げます for a formal version of speaking clearly.
はっきり言う means 'to speak clearly/frankly.' 全然言う emphasizes that you have 'no hesitation' or 'zero problem' saying it.
Not always. It can also mean 'I say it (regularly)' or 'I would say it,' depending on the context of the conversation.
It depends on your relationship, but generally, it's better to avoid slang with teachers to show respect.
That is the traditional use! It means '(I) don't say (it) at all.' The negative form is always grammatically correct.
You would use the potential form: 全然言える (zenzen ieru). This is very common when someone asks if you're capable of speaking up.
It started as youth slang to add emphasis, similar to how 'totally' or 'literally' are used in English today.
Yes, this modern usage of 全然 has spread across Japan, though it is most prominent in urban areas like Tokyo.
Yes! If a friend does something funny/bad, you can jokingly say 全然言うよ！ to mean 'I'm totally telling!'
相关表达
全然大丈夫 (Zenzen daijoubu) - Totally okay / No problem
はっきり言う (Hakkiri iu) - To speak frankly
全然平気 (Zenzen heiki) - Totally fine / Doesn't bother me
口に出す (Kuchi ni dasu) - To put into words / To say out loud
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