決して～ない | Grammar

Structure

決して + [verb ない-form] 決して + [verb ます-stem] + ません決して + [i-adj 〜い → 〜く] + ない決して + [na-adj] + ではない決して + [noun] + ではない

Description

決して goes with a negative and makes it absolute: "never", "by no means". It sits before the verb or adjective, and the sentence has to end in a negative – ない, ません, ではない.

。

I will never forget that day.

。

I will never give up.

。

This job is by no means easy.

。

It's in no way your fault.

Without the negative ending the sentence is wrong.

× 決して忘れる → 決して忘れない

決して also hardens a ban or a request.

。

You must never go alone.

。

Please never tell anyone this secret.

決して or 絶対に

means "definitely" and works with a positive or a negative. 決して works only with a negative, and sounds more formal and solemn: a vow, a warning, a firm denial.

。

I'm definitely going.

。

I'm definitely not going.

。

I will never go.

Never, as in not once

English "never" also counts experience: "I have never been to Japan". 決して states a will or a fact firmly; it does not count times. For experience, use いちど一度も.

。

I have never been to Japan.

× 日本に決して行ったことがない → 日本に一度も行ったことがない

Examples

。

I will never tell a lie.

。

I will never forget that day.

。

He is a person who never breaks his promises.

。

You must never go alone.

。

This problem is by no means easy.

。

It is by no means your fault.

。

My mother never denied my dreams.

。

Such a thing will never be forgiven.

。

Her efforts were by no means wasted.

、。

It is by no means cheap, but it is worth buying.

。

I will never give up.

。

Please never tell this secret to anyone.

References

The Intensifier ～ないimabi.org