거의 (geo-ui, geoui) · 전혀 (jeon-hyeo, jeonhyeo)
'거의' implies 'almost' or 'mostly not' in negative sentences, while '전혀' expresses complete negation, meaning 'not at all'.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
In negative sentences, '거의 ~않다' means 'mostly not' or 'almost not', allowing for some exceptions.
When to use
Partial negation, Almost complete, Frequency expression
The nuance
'거의' is used in negative sentences to express 'almost not' or 'mostly not', not a total negation.
In negative sentences, '전혀 ~않다' expresses complete negation, meaning 'not at all'.
When to use
Complete negation, Strong negation emphasis, Negation emphasis
The nuance
'전혀' is used in negative sentences to indicate total negation without exception.
거의 다 끝났어요.
geo-ui da kkeut-nass-eo-yo., geo ui da kkeut nass eo yo.
'거의' naturally expresses near completion here.
전혀 다 끝났어요.
jeon-hyeo da kkeut-nass-eo-yo., jeon hyeo da kkeut nass eo yo.
'전혀' expresses total negation and cannot be used with a positive statement like '다 끝났어요'.
그는 거의 오지 않았어요.
geu-neun geo-ui o-ji an-ass-eo-yo., geu neun geo ui o ji an ass eo yo.
'거의 오지 않았다' means 'almost did not come' and is natural.
그는 전혀 오지 않았어요.
geu-neun jeon-hyeo o-ji an-ass-eo-yo., geu neun jeon hyeo o ji an ass eo yo.
'전혀 오지 않았다' means 'did not come at all', a complete negation.
나는 거의 전혀 몰라요.
na-neun geo-ui jeon-hyeo mol-ra-yo., na neun geo ui jeon hyeo mol ra yo.
'거의' and '전혀' together cause redundancy and awkwardness.
그 문제는 전혀 어려운 문제가 아니에요.
geu mun-je-neun jeon-hyeo eo-ryeo-un mun-je-ga a-ni-e-yo., geu mun je neun jeon hyeo eo ryeo un mun je ga a ni e yo.
'전혀' naturally emphasizes strong negation in negative sentences.
나는 전혀 공부하지 않았어요.
na-neun jeon-hyeo gong-bu-ha-ji an-ass-eo-yo., na neun jeon hyeo gong bu ha ji an ass eo yo.
Appropriate sentence expressing complete negation.
나는 거의 공부하지 않았어요.
na-neun geo-ui gong-bu-ha-ji an-ass-eo-yo., na neun geo ui gong bu ha ji an ass eo yo.
Expresses partial negation, implying a very small amount of studying.
Which word indicates complete negation, '거의' or '전혀'?
Which sentence correctly uses '거의'?
Which sentence cannot use '전혀'?
