How to say "Not at all" in Japanese | 一向に

word

Meaning

One

Reading

Kanji

一One

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese noun '一 (いち)' means 'one'. It is used to denote the number one or a single item. This word is fundamental in counting and is often used in various contexts, such as dates, times, and quantities. For example: one apple「一つのりんご」(ひとつのりんご). It is also used in idiomatic expressions and compound words. For instance, '一人 (ひとり)' means 'one person' or 'alone'. Note that '一' can also be part of larger numbers, such as '十一 (じゅういち)' for 'eleven'.

word

Meaning

One

Reading

Kanji

一One

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese noun '一つ (ひとつ)' means 'one'. It is used to indicate the number one or a single item. This word is often used in counting objects or when referring to a single instance of something. For example: I have one apple「りんごを一つ持っています」(りんごをひとつもっています). There is one book on the table「テーブルの上に本が一つあります」(テーブルのうえにほんがひとつあります). It can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as 'one of the reasons'「理由の一つ」(りゆうのひとつ). Note that '一つ' is part of the native Japanese counting system, which is often used for general objects and abstract concepts, as opposed to the Sino-Japanese counting system (e.g., 一 (いち)) which is used for specific categories like dates, money, or time.

word

Meaning

Alone, One person

Reading

Kanji

一One 人Person

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese noun '一人 (ひとり)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'alone', referring to a state of being by oneself without others. The second meaning is 'one person', referring to a single individual. This word is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts. For example: I live alone「私は一人で暮らしています」(わたしはひとりでくらしています). Only one person came to the meeting「会議には一人しか来なかった」(かいぎにはひとりしかこなかった). The word can also be used in phrases like '一人で (ひとりで)' meaning 'by oneself' or 'on one's own'.

word

Meaning

A bit

Reading

Kanji

一One 寸Measurement

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese adverb '一寸 (ちょっと)' means 'a bit' or 'a little'. It is commonly used to indicate a small amount, degree, or extent of something. It can also be used to soften requests or statements, making them sound more polite or less direct. For example: Can you wait a bit?「ちょっと待ってくれますか？」(ちょっとまってくれますか？). I'm a bit busy「ちょっと忙しいです」(ちょっといそがしいです). Additionally, 'ちょっと' can be used to express hesitation or difficulty in answering a question, as in 'ちょっと難しいです (ちょっとむずかしいです) (It's a bit difficult).'

word

Meaning

Together

Reading

Kanji

一One 緒Beginning, Together

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese adverb '一緒に (いっしょに)' means 'together'. It is used to indicate that two or more people or things are doing something in unison or in the same place. This adverb is commonly used in invitations or when suggesting joint activities. For example: Let's go together「一緒に行きましょう」(いっしょにいきましょう). We ate together「一緒に食べました」(いっしょにたべました). It can also be used to express that something is done simultaneously or in combination, as in 'I will study together with my friend'「友達と一緒に勉強します」(ともだちといっしょにべんきょうします).

word

Meaning

Head, Face

Reading

Kanji

向Facing, Yonder

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese verb '向かう (むかう)' can mean 'to head (toward)' or 'to face (a direction or situation)'. It is used to indicate movement toward a destination or confronting a situation. For example: he is heading toward the station「彼は駅に向かっている」(かれはえきにむかっている). We must face the challenges「私たちは課題に向かわなければならない」(わたしたちはかだいにむかわなければならない). The verb can also imply a sense of purpose or determination in the direction one is moving or facing.

word

Meaning

Direct

Reading

Kanji

向Facing, Yonder

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese verb '向ける (むける)' means 'to direct' or 'to turn something towards a specific direction or target'. It is often used when indicating the orientation or focus of an object, attention, or effort. For example: he directed his gaze towards the mountain「彼は山に向けた視線を向けた」(かれはやまにむけたしせんをむけた). She turned the camera towards the flowers「彼女はカメラを花に向けた」(かのじょはカメラをはなにむけた). This verb can also be used metaphorically, such as directing efforts or attention towards a goal.

word

Meaning

Direction

Reading

Kanji

方Direction 向Facing, Yonder

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese noun '方向 (ほうこう)' means 'direction'. It refers to the course or path along which something moves, points, or lies. This word is commonly used to describe physical directions, such as the direction of travel, as well as metaphorical directions, such as the direction of one's life or efforts. For example: Which direction is the station?「駅はどの方向ですか？」(えきはどのほうこうですか？). He changed the direction of his career「彼はキャリアの方向を変えた」(かれはキャリアのほうこうをかえた). The word can also be used in compound nouns, such as '方向音痴 (ほうこうおんち)' which means 'someone who is bad with directions'.

word

Meaning

Tendency, Trend

Reading

Kanji

傾Incline, Lean 向Facing, Yonder

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese noun '傾向 (けいこう)' refers to a general direction in which something is developing or changing, or a likelihood of behaving in a particular way. It is often used in discussions about patterns, behaviors, or statistical data. For example: There is a trend towards healthier eating「健康的な食事に向かう傾向がある」(けんこうてきなしょくじにむかうけいこうがある). He has a tendency to be late「彼は遅れる傾向がある」(かれはおくれるけいこうがある). The word can be used in both formal and informal contexts, and it is commonly seen in news articles, reports, and everyday conversation.

word

Meaning

Other side, Beyond

Reading

Kanji

向Facing, Yonder

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese noun '向こう (むこう)' primarily means 'beyond' or 'the other side'. It is used to refer to a place or area that is on the opposite side of a certain point, often implying a sense of distance or separation. For example: The town beyond the river「川の向こうの町」(かわのむこうのまち). The other side of the mountain「山の向こう」(やまのむこう). It can also be used metaphorically to refer to something that is beyond one's current understanding or reach, such as 'beyond my imagination'「私の想像の向こう」(わたしのそうぞうのむこう). This word is versatile and can be used in both literal and figurative contexts.