This article will give you all of the knowledge you need on the Japanese word zettai, including its Japanese definition and translation, example sentences, related expressions and more!
Contents
What does zettai mean?
Zettai (絶対、ぜったい) means absolute or unconditional in Japanese. In negative sentences, it is roughly equivalent to never or no way.
However, the actual English equivalent will depend on the context. Quite often it can mean something like I’m sure that, without a doubt or definitely. While many Japanese words tend to be quite flexible, this is especially true for zettai.
If you find yourself wondering what it stands for in a given sentence, the main thing to remember is that zettai is used to strongly emphasize a point. Over time, you will naturally begin to understand how to use it.
Let’s take a look at some examples below.
Zettai = absolute, unconditional
To make it easier for you, I have written each sentence in full Japanese kanji in the first line, followed by roman letters (romaji), and hiragana, with the English meaning coming last.
パーティーにおいでよ。絶対楽しいから!
Paatei ni oide yo. Zettai tanoshii kara!
ぱーてぃにおいでよ。ぜったいたのしいから!
Come to the party, will you? It’s definitely going to be fun!
彼のことなら絶対大丈夫だよ。
Kare no koto nara zettai daijyoubu dayo.
かれのことならぜったいだいじょうぶだよ。
I’m sure it’ll be okay if he is handling it.
絶対負けないぞ!
Zettai makenai zo!
ぜったいまけないぞ!
There’s no way I’m gonna lose!
怪しい会社だから絶対やめたほうがいいです。
Ayashii kaisha dakara zettai yameta hou ga ii desu.
あやしいかいしゃだからぜったいやめたほうがいいです。
It’s a sketchy company, so you should definitely avoid getting involved with them.
Zettai ni = Absolutely/definitely
Zettai ni (絶対に、ぜったいに) makes zettai into an adverb meaning absolutely or definitely (note that, again, English grammar does not always match up precisely). This is actually the most common way to use zettai, so let’s look at how to use it.
絶対に忘れないで!
Zettai ni wasurenaide!
ぜったいにわすれないで!
Never forget!
これからはもう絶対に嘘を言わないから信用してよ。
Kore kara wa mou zettai ni uso wo iwanai kara shinyou shite yo.
これからはもうぜったいにうそをいわないからしんようしてよ。
From now on, I won’t ever lie again so please trust me.
私達がチームを組んだら絶対にうまくいく。
Watashitachi ga chiimu wo kundara zettai ni umaku iku.
わたしたちはちーむをくんだらぜったいにうまくいく。
If we team up it will definitely go well.
Zettai dame/zettai muri = No way!
Zettai dame (絶対ダメ、ぜったいだめ) means absolutely not or no way. It’s a strong way of telling someone you don’t want to do something. Zettai muri (絶対無理、ぜったいむり) is another common phrase that means the same thing.
ねえねえ、いまから公園に行かない?
Nee nee, ima kara kouen ni ikanai?
ねえねえ、いまからこうえんいかない?
Hey, do you want to go to the park now?
絶対だめ。今日は寒すぎだろう!
Zettai dame. Kyou wa samusugi daro!
ぜったいだめ。きょうはさむすぎだろう!
No way. It’s too cold today!
ひろくんにデート誘われたけど、絶対無理!
Hiro kun ni deito ni sasowareta kedo, zettai muri!
ひろくんにでーとにさそわれたけど、ぜったいむり!
Hiro asked me out on a date, but there’s no way that’s happening!
Rohan's favorite resource for learning Japanese is JapanesePod101, one of the best tools for getting started with the language. Sign up for a free lifetime account here.
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