Translation guide
Used in negative sentences to emphasize that something is not true at all, not even a little bit. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific negative-polarity items, adverbial phrases, or sentence-ending patterns rather than a single direct translation.
Emphasize a complete lack or negation, equivalent to 'not ... at all'.
Literally 'not even a little'. A common and versatile way to say 'not in the slightest'. Place before the negated verb or adjective.
彼の言っていることは少しもわからない。
I don't understand what he's saying in the slightest.
That movie wasn't interesting in the slightest.
Means 'not at all'. Very common in casual speech. Can sound emphatic; use with care in formal settings.
全然気にしていない。
I'm not bothered in the slightest.
その話は全然信じられない。
I don't believe that story in the slightest.
Stronger than 全然, meaning 'absolutely not' or 'not at all'. Suitable for both spoken and written Japanese.
彼の説明はまったく理解できなかった。
I couldn't understand his explanation in the slightest.
Colloquial equivalent of 少しも〜ない. Often used in spoken Japanese to mean 'not at all'.
ちっとも疲れていない。
I'm not tired in the slightest.
Literally 'not even a particle'. Very emphatic, often used in written or formal contexts to deny something completely.
その疑惑は微塵もない。
There is not the slightest doubt.
Strengthen a negative description, like 'not ... at all' with adjectives.
Works well with adjectives like 面白くない (not interesting), 嬉しくない (not happy).
その結果にはまったく満足していない。
I'm not satisfied with the result in the slightest.
Very casual, meaning 'not even a tiny bit'. Often used with emotions or quantities.
これっぽっちも怖くない。
I'm not scared in the slightest.
Express 'if at all' or 'even a little' in negative or hypothetical contexts.
Used in conditionals to mean 'if even a little'. Often followed by a negative or cautious statement.
少しでも疑いがあるなら、やめておいたほうがいい。
If you have any doubt in the slightest, you should stop.
There is no single Japanese word for 'in the slightest'. Translating it literally as わずかに or ほんの少し will not convey the emphatic negative meaning. Always pair these expressions with a negative verb or adjective.
少しもわからない。
I don't understand in the slightest.
全然 is more common in everyday speech, while まったく is slightly more formal and emphatic. 全然 can sometimes be used in positive sentences in very casual speech (e.g., 全然いいよ 'totally fine'), but this is considered informal.
全然問題ない。
No problem at all. (casual)
まったく問題ありません。
There is no problem whatsoever. (polite)
少しも心配していない。
I'm not worried in the slightest.
そんなことは全然気にならない。
That doesn't bother me in the slightest.
彼はまったく助けてくれなかった。
He didn't help in the slightest.