Japanese word

決して

Pronunciation

Romajikesshite

Meaning

  • adverbnever

Example

私は決してうそをつきません。watashi wa kes shi te u so o tsu ki ma se n

I never lie.

Illustration for 決して (never)

More examples

困ったときでも、私は決して逃げません。koma tta to ki de mo watashi wa kes shi te ni ge ma se n

Even when I am in trouble, I never run away.

Core concept

Marks something as firmly outside the range of what happens or what a person does.

Common phrases

  • 決して許さないkes shi te yuru sa na i

    never forgive

  • 決してうそをつかないkes shi te u so o tsu ka na i

    never lie

Similar words

絶対にzettaini: Shows firm certainty or determination and can mean never when used with a negative predicate.
二度とnidoto: Refers to no future repetition of an action or event, usually with a negative predicate.
一度もichidomo: Indicates that an action or event has occurred zero times within a relevant period.

Definition in Japanese

物事が絶対に起こらないことや、人がある行為を絶対にしないことを強く否定して表す。mono goto ga zet tai ni o ko ra na i ko to ya hito ga a ru kō i o zet tai ni shi na i ko to o tsuyo ku hi tei shi te arawa su

Word origin

The adverb 決して (kesshite) derives from 決す (kessu, "to decide") followed by the connective ending て (te), then developed a strong negative use meaning "never" or "not at all".

Usage tips

  • The negative form is an important part of the everyday pattern for 決して (kesshite), so it commonly strengthens a refusal or denial rather than standing alone.

Other meanings

  • not at alladverb
  • by no meansadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word