全面(ぜんめん)

ぜんめん
noun
the whole surface; all aspects; full-scale
abstract
1. the whole surface; the entire area
The complete surface or area of something physical.
壁(かべ)の全面(ぜんめん)を塗(ぬ)った。
I painted the entire wall.
ガラスの全面(ぜんめん)にフィルムを貼(は)った。
I applied film to the entire surface of the glass.
芝生(しばふ)の全面(ぜんめん)に水(みず)をまいた。
I watered the entire lawn.
2. all aspects; every respect; full-scale
Used figuratively to mean 'in every way' or 'completely,' often modifying nouns to indicate something total or comprehensive.
全面的(ぜんめんてき)に賛成(さんせい)する。
I fully agree.
全面(ぜんめん)戦争(せんそう)に発展(はってん)する恐(おそ)れがある。
There is a risk of it escalating into an all-out war.
会社(かいしゃ)は製品(せいひん)の全面(ぜんめん)見直(みなお)しを行(おこな)った。
The company carried out a comprehensive review of its products.

Literally 'entire surface/face' (全(ぜん) 'all' + 面(めん) 'surface, aspect'). In sense 1, it refers to a physical surface. In sense 2, it is used as a prefix or with 的(てき) to express comprehensiveness or totality.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 前面(ぜんめん): the front surface — same pronunciation but different kanji and meaning
  • 表面(ひょうめん): surface, exterior — refers to the outer layer rather than totality
  • 全体(ぜんたい): the whole, entirety — broader; not limited to surfaces or aspects

Related Words

Compare: 表面(ひょうめん) (surface, exterior)
Compare: 全体(ぜんたい) (the whole, entirety)
general
Added 2026.4.7 23:11 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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