Do you know the words zenbu (全部) and subete (全て)? Both mean everything, whole, all, completely and everyone... They are simple words that are part of our daily lives and can be confusing. In this article, we will try to understand the differences between these 2 words, see examples of how to use them correctly and also alternative words that can express the idea of everything.
Why are there 2 totally different ways of saying everything? Note that both words are composed with the kanji (全) which means whole, all, and complete. Several words use this ideogram, such as:
- Encyclopedia - 大全 - taizen
- Not everything, nothing - 全然 - zenzen
- All - 全員 - zen-in
- Country - 全国 - zenkoku
- Entirely, totally, certainly - 全体 - zentai
- Annihilation, total destruction - 全滅 - zenmetsu
- The whole school - 全校 - zenkou
The kanji (全) is also present in a commonly used verb to express exasperation (mataku - 全く) which means really, entirely, indeed, and completely. For this reason, we should be careful when trying to use the words zenbu or subete when there is already another word or expression that indicates the totality of something.
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What are the differences between subete and zenbu?
We can start by saying that subete (全て) is a word of Japanese origin while zenbu (全部) is composed only of ideograms and came from Chinese origin. The word zenbu is also composed with kanji (部) which indicates section, department, part, parcel, component, and element. In other words, the word zenbu indicates the whole part or every element. It is worth noting that the word subete is usually written in hiragana すべて.
It is believed that subete is a softer word, while zenbu seems to be more objective. Subete can sometimes sound more beautiful and poetic. Both can be used as nouns, but only subete (全て) can be used as an adverb. Although there is no evidence for this, subete is used in more formal situations than zenbu. Zenbu is often used to refer to money, counting, and numbers.
Subete is a vocabulary term that is a bit more advanced than zenbu. It is common for a 3 or 4-year-old child to say zenbu when they want all the toys, but by the time they reach 10 years old, they might start saying subete. Zenbu tends to be used more for everything that is finite or has a limit. It is common to hear zenbu (全部) more often than subete (全て). 全部 feels more complete while 全て feels more like everything, everyone. Zenbu is often used to refer to money, counting, and numbers.
The word 全部 is not appropriate to use to indicate a group of people. We can conclude that すべて and 全部 are interchangeable in many situations. However, すべて tends to be used more in general topics, abstract ideas, or something academic.
Examples of uses with 全部 and 全て
There are several things to explain about 全部 and 全て. To better explain this, let's do it by showing examples. We use the particle の to say every part or all of something. The problem is that 全部 (zenbu) can mean each part, so be careful not to confuse it when forming sentences using the particle の. Here are some examples:
Suppose you want to say that you love everything about someone or something. You must use [Someoneの全部...], if you use [全部のsomeone...] you are saying that you love every part of that someone or something. (If you love each part of everything in the same way lol)...;
彼は本を全部読んだ。
Kare wa hon o zenbu yonda;
He read the book cover to cover.
This sentence can also indicate the whole book or all books. However, the word 全部 (zenbu) can indicate the whole part of something.
それは全部で１００ドルでした。
Sore wa zenbu de 100-doru deshita;
It was a total of 100 dollars.
Using 全部 to indicate the total amount spent.
我々は全部で、７人です。
Wareware wa zenbu de nananin desu;
We are a total of 7 people.
This phrase uses 全部 to say the entirety of a group.
生徒は全部で何人ですか？
Seito wa zenbu de nanijin desu ka?
What is the total number of students?
神の目には人はすべて平等である。
Kami no me ni wa hito wa subete byōdō de aru;
In the sight of God, all men are equal.
すべてのバスは満員です。
Subete no basu wa man'in desu;
All the buses are full.
その男はすべての希望を失った。
Sono otoko wa subete no kibō o ushinatta;
The man lost all hope.
お金がすべてではない。
Okane ga subete de wa nai;
Money is not everything.
全ての人間は平等である。
Subete no ningen wa byōdō de aru;
Every human being is equal.
それが全てです。
Sore ga subete desu;
That's all.
If you want to be sure which word is most correct in a sentence. Just paste part of it in google and see which one appears more results using the locator (CTRL + F).
Other words meaning "everything"
There are many similar words that can also indicate all or whole. Let's see some below and mention their differences between 全部 and すべて.
All This word indicates all and each, it is equivalent to every in English. While the words subete and zenbu can focus on the whole group, arayuru concentrates on each individual member of the whole group.
Whole - Zentai - Integer, whole - This word does not indicate all in general but whole. For example - Whole page, whole body or the totality of something.
Absolute - Zettai - It indicates certainly, definitely, absolutely and unconditionally. These are two very similar words with similar meanings, so be very careful not to confuse them.
totally At the same time that it means everything, its real meaning is nothing, not everything, none, or by no means. Be careful, because colloquially this word can totally invert and indicate things like "totally" and "totally good."
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