全然泣く

Grammar is a bit tricky here. Technically, 全然 needs a negative verb to mean "not at all." To say "not at all cry," you must use the negative form 全然泣かない or the past tense 全然泣かなかった. If you just say 全然泣く in modern slang, it actually means the opposite: "I'll totally cry!" Confusing, right? To stick to your intended meaning of "no tears," always keep that verb in the negative. It acts like a big zero that cancels out the action of crying.

Use it after watching a sad movie with friends. Your friend is using a whole tissue box, but you are just calmly eating your popcorn. Use it when you are being brave. Maybe you fell down or had a rough day but didn't cry. It works great in casual chats or texting. Tell your friends after a breakup, "I'm fine, 全然泣いてない!" It shows you are holding it together.

Avoid this in very formal settings or serious professional reports. It is a bit too blunt and colloquial. Also, be very careful at sensitive events like funerals. Saying you didn't cry at a funeral might make you sound cold-hearted or indifferent. Use it mostly with people you trust or when the situation is lighthearted, like reacting to a cheesy commercial.

Japan has a long history of valuing stoicism and emotional restraint. This is often linked to the concept of gaman (endurance). Historically, showing extreme emotion was seen as a lack of self-control. While modern Japan is much more open to expressing feelings—there are even "tear-seeking" clubs called namida-katsu—being 全然泣かない can still be seen as a sign of being "cool" or emotionally tough. It is a badge of strength for some.

全然泣けない means "I can't cry," implying you want to but the tears won't come. 全然泣きそうにない means "I don't feel like I'm going to cry at all." If you want to be polite, use 全然泣きませんでした. And remember the slang trap: 全然泣ける means "I can totally cry" or "This is so moving!" Always check if the verb is positive or negative to know the true meaning.