Translation and Meaning of: 全て - subete

The Japanese word 全て (subete) is an essential term for those learning the language or interested in Japanese culture. Its broad meaning and frequent use in everyday life make it a valuable expression for understanding conversations, texts, and even Eastern philosophies. In this article, we will explore what 全て represents, its origin, how it is used in different contexts, and why it is so relevant in the Japanese language.

In addition to being a common word, 全て carries interesting nuances that reflect aspects of the Japanese mindset, such as the notion of totality and completeness. If you have ever wondered how to use it correctly in sentences or what its relationship is with other similar terms, keep reading to discover practical information and curiosities based on reliable sources.

Meaning and usage of 全て

"全て" is a pronoun and adverb that means "everything," "all," or "totally." It is used to refer to something in its entirety, without exceptions. For example, in a sentence like "全ての人が賛成した" (subete no hito ga sansei shita), the translation would be "all the people agreed." The word conveys the idea of complete inclusion, encompassing all elements of a group or situation.

Unlike other similar terms, such as 全部 (zenbu), which also means "everything," 全て has a more formal and philosophical tone. While 全部 is frequently used in everyday situations, like in shopping or counting, 全て appears more in speeches, written texts, and expressions that involve reflection. This subtle distinction is important for those who want to sound natural when speaking Japanese.

Origin and writing in kanji

The kanji 全て, 全, means "complete" or "whole," while て (te) is a suffix that reinforces the idea of totality. Together, they form a word that expresses fullness without leaving room for exclusions. This composition helps explain why 全て is often associated with absolute contexts, such as in discussions about life, the universe, or important decisions.

It is worth noting that 全て can also be written simply in hiragana (すべて), especially in more informal texts or when one wishes to soften the tone. However, the kanji version is more common in written materials such as books, articles, and official documents. This flexibility in writing allows the word to adapt to different situations without losing its central meaning.

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

An effective way to memorize 全て is to associate it with situations that involve totality or conclusion. For example, think of phrases like "all the books were read" (全ての本を読んだ) or "he gave his all" (彼は全てを尽くした). These examples demonstrate how the word is used in real contexts, making it easier to assimilate.

Another useful tip is to observe the use of 全て in animes, dramas, or Japanese news. Often, characters or presenters use it in impactful speeches, which helps to understand its emotional weight and formality. Over time, you will start to notice when it sounds more natural to use 全て instead of other similar words, like 全部 or みんな (minna).

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• すべて (subete) - all
• すべてのもの (subete no mono) - All objects
• すべての点で (subete no ten de) - In all aspects
• まったく (mattaku) - Completely, totally
• 全部 (zenbu) - Everything, the totality
• 全体 (zentai) - The whole, the totality
• 全員 (zen’in) - All members
• 全部分 (zenbubun) - All parts
• 全範囲 (zenhan’i) - All the reach
• 全領域 (zenryōiki) - All the domain, all the fields
• 全容量 (zenyōryō) - Total capacity
• 全量 (zenryō) - Total amount
• 全数 (zensū) - Total numbers, numerical totality
• 全部品 (zenbuhin) - All components
• 全種類 (zenshurui) - All types
• 全種類のもの (zenshurui no mono) - All types of objects
• 全種 (zenshu) - All types
• 全部門 (zenbumon) - All departments
• 全分野 (zenbunya) - All fields, all areas
• 全分野にわたって (zenbunya ni watatte) - In all fields
• 全面的に (zenmenteki ni) - In a comprehensive manner
• 全方位にわたって (zenhōi ni watatte) - In all directions
• 全地球的に (zenchikyū-teki ni) - At a global level
• 全世界的に (zensekai-teki ni) - Worldwide
• 全国的に (zenkoku-teki ni) - At a national level
• 全地域的に (zenchiiki-teki ni) - At the regional level
• 全地域にわたって (zenchiiki ni watatte) - In the whole region
• 全地域 (zenchiiki) - The whole region
• 全地 (zenchi) - All the earth

全て

Romaji: subete
Kana: すべて
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: all; the whole; fully; in general; totally

Meaning in English: all;the whole;entirely;in general;wholly

Definition: #VVALUE!

Example Sentences - (全て) subete

See below some example sentences:

金銭が全てではない。

Kinsen ga subete dewa nai

Money is not everything.

Money is not everything.

• 金銭 - money
• が - subject particle
• 全て - All, every
• ではない - Não é

全ての人に平等な機会を与えるべきだ。

Subete no hito ni byoudou na kikai wo ataeru beki da

Everyone must have equal opportunities.

You must give everyone an equal opportunity.

• 全ての人に - All individuals
• 平等な - equality
• 機会を - Opportunities
• 与える - It must be given
• べきだ - It must be done

全ては繋がっている。

Subete wa tsunagatte iru

Everything is connected.

• 全て (substantivo) - means "everything" or "everyone"
• は (partícula) - indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "everything"
• 繋がっている (verbo) - means "to be connected" or "to be connected"

私は彼女に全てを打ち明けた。

Watashi wa kanojo ni subete o uchiakeru ta

I told her everything.

I told her everything.

• 私 - personal pronoun meaning "I" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I".
• 彼女 - noun meaning "girlfriend" or "her" in Japanese.
• に - particle that indicates the recipient of the action, in this case, "to her".
• 全て - adverb meaning "all" or "completely" in Japanese.
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "everything".
• 打ち明けた - verb meaning "confess" or "reveal" in Japanese, conjugated in the past tense.