Translation guide
The English phrase "at all" is used to emphasize negation, questions, or conditions. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent; instead, various expressions and grammar patterns convey similar emphasis depending on the context.
Emphasize a complete lack or zero degree of something.
まったく (mattaku) also means 'completely' or 'at all', often slightly more emphatic or formal than 全然.
まったく覚えていない。
I don't remember at all.
Literally 'not even a little', used for emphasis in negative sentences.
少しも疲れていない。
I'm not tired at all.
Very casual and emphatic, meaning 'not even a tiny bit'. Often used in spoken Japanese.
これっぽっちも聞いてないよ。
I haven't heard a thing about it.
Ask whether something exists or happens to any degree, often implying doubt or expecting a negative answer.
Used in questions to ask if there is any amount at all. Often implies the speaker suspects there is little or none.
少しは進んだ？
Did you make any progress at all?
When asking if something ever happens at all, use 〜たことがある？ for past experience.
海外に行ったことある？
Have you ever been abroad at all?
Means 'in the first place' or 'at all', used to question the very premise.
そもそも、それって必要？
Is that even necessary at all?
Express that something might happen only to a minimal extent, or might not happen.
Used to say 'even if it does happen, at most...' conveying 'if at all'.
彼が来るとしても、せいぜい10分くらいだ。
If he comes at all, it'll be for 10 minutes at most.
Similar to above, emphasizing a minimal amount.
雨が降るにしても、ほんの小雨だろう。
If it rains at all, it'll be just a drizzle.
Emphasize that something is the absolute best/worst etc. among all possibilities.
Means 'more than anything', often used to say 'the best at all'.
健康が何よりも大切だ。
Health is the most important thing at all.
Simply using 一番 (ichiban, 'number one') often conveys the superlative without needing an explicit 'at all'.
これが一番好き。
I like this the best at all.
While 全然 can be used with positive verbs in casual speech (全然いいよ = It's totally fine), in formal or standard Japanese it is primarily used with negatives. Using it with positives may sound slangy or incorrect in formal contexts.
全然いいよ。
It's totally fine. (casual)
Both mean 'completely (not)' in negative sentences. まったく is slightly more formal and emphatic, often used in written language or serious speech. 全然 is more common in everyday conversation.