Japanese word

一切

Pronunciation

Romajiissai

Meaning

  • nounanything

Example

彼は一切食べません。kare wa is sai ta be ma se n

He does not eat anything.

Illustration for 一切 (anything)

More examples

この薬には副作用が一切ありません。ko no kusuri ni wa fuku sa yō ga is sai a ri ma se n

This medicine has no side effects at all.

Core concept

It presents a complete absence, with no part or amount remaining.

Common phrases

  • 一切食べないis sai ta be na i

    not eat anything

  • 一切飲まないis sai no ma na i

    not drink anything

  • 一切使わないis sai tsuka wa na i

    not use anything

Similar words

全部zenbu: All of something considered as one complete amount or group.

Definition in Japanese

否定表現を伴い、対象を例外なく一つも残さないこと。hi tei hyō gen o tomona i tai shō o rei gai na ku hito tsu mo noko sa na i ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese word 一切 (issai) combines 一 (ichi, "one") and 切 (sai, "cut") and denotes "all without exception"; Japanese also uses it with negation for "anything at all".

Usage tips

  • Compared with casual 全部 (zenbu), 一切 (issai) has a more formal tone and stresses that no part is left out.

Other meanings

  • at alladverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word