ちっとも

ちっとも
adverb
not at all, not a bit
1. not at all, not a bit, not in the least
Used with negative predicates to emphasize complete absence or negation. Expresses stronger negation than あまり.
ちっとも分(わ)からない。
I don't understand at all.
ちっとも変(か)わっていない。
It hasn't changed at all.
何度(なんど)練習(れんしゅう)しても、ちっとも上手(じょうず)にならない。
No matter how many times I practice, I don't get any better at all.
説明(せつめい)を聞(き)いたのに、ちっとも納得(なっとく)できなかった。
Even though I heard the explanation, I wasn't convinced at all.
あの人(ひと)は自分(じぶん)が悪(わる)いのに、ちっとも反省(はんせい)していないから、周(まわ)りの人(ひと)も困(こま)っている。
Even though he's in the wrong, he isn't reflecting on it at all, so the people around him are having a hard time too.

ちっとも is an emphatic negative adverb meaning "not at all" or "not one bit." It must always be paired with a negative predicate.

GRAMMAR:

  • Pattern: ちっとも + negative verb/adjective
  • Cannot be used with positive statements
  • Example: ちっとも分(わ)からない (I don't understand at all)

NUANCE:
Expresses the speaker's frustration, surprise, or emphasis about the complete absence of something. Slightly more emotional than 全然(ぜんぜん).

SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:

  • 全然(ぜんぜん)〜ない: not at all (most common, neutral)
  • ちっとも〜ない: not at all (emphatic, slightly emotional)
  • 少(すこ)しも〜ない: not even a little (emphatic)
  • 全(まった)く〜ない: not at all (formal/literary)

REGISTER:
Casual to neutral. More common in spoken language than formal writing. Often used when the speaker is frustrated or disappointed — e.g., ちっとも上達(じょうたつ)しない (I'm not improving at all).

Related Words

Synonym: 全然(ぜんぜん) (not at all (common))
core
Added 2026.1.9 21:42 · Revised 2026.4.5 18:02
01500/01663_chittomo