Japanese word

ちっとも

Pronunciation

Romajichittomo

Meaning

  • adverbnot at all

Example

この料理はちっとも辛くないです。ko no ryō ri wa chi tto mo tsura ku na i de su

This dish is not spicy at all.

Illustration for ちっとも (not at all)

More examples

その子は何度練習しても、ちっとも上手になりません。so no ko wa nan do ren shū shi te mo chi tto mo jō zu ni na ri ma se n

No matter how many times the child practices, they do not get any better at all.

Core concept

Shows that something is absent to the slightest degree, especially when a negative statement rules out even a small amount.

Common phrases

  • ちっとも分からないchi tto mo wa ka ra na i

    not understand at all

  • ちっとも動かないchi tto mo ugo ka na i

    not move at all

  • ちっとも疲れていないchi tto mo tsuka re te i na i

    not be tired at all

Similar words

全然zenzen: Shows that something is completely absent or does not happen, usually with a negative statement.
少しもsukoshimo: Shows that there is not even a small amount of something, usually with a negative statement.
まったくmattaku: Shows complete absence and can strongly emphasize a negative statement.
一向にikkōni: Shows that a situation does not change or improve at all, usually with a negative statement.

Definition in Japanese

状態や動作が少しもないことを強調して表す。否定の言い方とともに用いることが多い。jō tai ya dō sa ga suko shi mo na i ko to o kyō chō shi te arawa su hi tei no i i kata to to mo ni mochi i ru ko to ga ō i

Word origin

ちっとも (chittomo) is formed from ちっと (chitto), a spoken form of ちと (chito, "a little"), and も (mo, "even"), so it originally means "even a little."

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, ちっとも (chittomo) makes a negative statement more emphatic than a plain negative statement.

Opposites

Word lists with this word