Translation and Meaning of: てんで - tende

The Japanese word てんで (tende) can cause some confusion among language learners, especially due to its variety of uses and nuances. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and applications in everyday Japanese, as well as understand how it is perceived culturally. If you have encountered this expression in animes, songs, or conversations, you will discover here how to use it correctly.

In addition to being a versatile word, てんで has a striking colloquial tone, often appearing in informal dialogues. Let's uncover its different meanings, from its use to emphasize negations to its application in idiomatic expressions. If you're looking for a reliable dictionary to deepen your studies, Suki Nihongo offers detailed explanations about terms like this.

Meaning and uses of てんで

The term てんで can be translated in different ways, depending on the context. In many cases, it serves as a negative intensifier, equivalent to "not at all" or "absolutely not." For example, in phrases like てんでダメ (tende dame), the word reinforces the refusal or impossibility of something.

Another common use is as an adverb to express totality or completeness, often with an exaggerated connotation. In this sense, it can be compared to "completely" or "totally." It is worth noting that てんで is more frequent in spoken language than in formal writing, being rare in official documents or academic texts.

Origin and regional variations

The etymology of てんで is linked to the verb 出る (deru), which means "to exit" or "to emerge." This relationship becomes clearer when we observe the form てんでに (tendeni), used in some regional dialects with the meaning of "each for oneself" or "separately." It is believed that the word originated as a contraction of longer expressions in ancient Japanese.

In the Tokyo dialect, てんで is widely used, while in other regions it can be replaced by local expressions. In Osaka, for example, it is more common to hear まるっきり (marukkiri) with a similar function. This geographical variation shows how the Japanese language adapts according to the locality, while still maintaining the central meaning of the word.

Tips for memorization and correct usage

An effective way to cement the meaning of てんで is to associate it with situations of emphatic negation. Think of scenes in animes where characters vehemently reject something - this word often appears in those moments. Creating flashcards with real examples helps internalize its natural use.

It is important to note that てんで carries an inherent informality, making it unsuitable for professional or formal settings. Its tone is direct and can sometimes be rude, depending on the intonation. Students should observe its usage in real contexts before reproducing it, avoiding misunderstandings in important conversations.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 全く (mattaku) - Completely; totally; used to emphasize the entirety of something, usually in negative contexts.
• 一切 (issai) - Whole; integer; can be used to denote totality in a more formal or philosophical sense.
• 何もかも (nani mo kamo) - Everything; absolutely everything, including aspects that are usually not considered.
• 全部 (zenbu) - All; refers to a complete set, without exception.

てんで

Romaji: tende
Kana: てんで
Type: Adverb
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: (not) not at all; completely; fully

Meaning in English: (not) at all;altogether;entirely

Definition: [Tende] Like this. Generally used in a negative sense. Example: Not good.

Example Sentences - (てんで) tende

See below some example sentences:

てんでに意味がある。

Tende ni imi ga aru

It makes sense.

• Input - - indicates that it is an input of information.
• てんでに - - It is a Japanese word that means "randomly" or "without apparent reason".
• 意味 - - it is a word in Japanese that means "meaning".
• が - - is a particle in Japanese that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• ある - - it is a verb in Japanese that means "to exist".
• . - é um sinal de pontuação que indica o final da frase.