전혀 (jeon-hyeo, jeonhyeo) · 별로 (byeol-ro, byeolro) · 조금도 (jo-geum-do, jogeumdo)
전혀, 별로, and 조금도 all express negation, but 전혀 denotes complete negation, 별로 implies less than expected, and 조금도 emphasizes quantity in negation.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
전혀 means a complete negation, indicating absolutely nothing or not at all.
When to use
complete negation, strong negation emphasis, only in negative sentences
The nuance
전혀 is used mainly in negative sentences and never with affirmative ones; it can be combined with 조금도 for emphasis.
별로 expresses something less than expected or unsatisfactory, mostly used in negative sentences.
When to use
underwhelming evaluation, negative judgment, used with negative sentences
The nuance
별로 is used with negative sentences to mean 'not really' or 'not particularly'; rarely used in affirmative sentences.
조금도 emphasizes a very small amount or degree in negation.
When to use
quantity emphasis negation, strong negative sentence, used with 전혀
The nuance
조금도 is used only in negative sentences, often combined with 전혀 for strong negation.
전혀 몰라요.
jeon-hyeo mol-ra-yo., jeon hyeo mol ra yo.
전혀 indicates complete negation, so ‘전혀 몰라요’ naturally means ‘I don’t know anything.’
전혀 좋아해요.
jeon-hyeo joh-a-hae-yo., jeon hyeo joh a hae yo.
전혀 is only used in negative sentences and cannot be used with affirmative ones like ‘좋아해요.’
별로 맛있지 않아요.
byeol-ro mas-iss-ji an-a-yo., byeol ro mas iss ji an a yo.
별로 is naturally used in negative sentences to mean ‘not particularly’ or ‘not very.’
별로 맛있어요.
byeol-ro mas-iss-eo-yo., byeol ro mas iss eo yo.
별로 rarely pairs with affirmative sentences, so ‘별로 맛있어요’ sounds unnatural.
조금도 걱정하지 마세요.
jo-geum-do geok-jeong-ha-ji ma-se-yo., jo geum do geok jeong ha ji ma se yo.
조금도 emphasizes quantity in negation; ‘조금도 걱정하지 마세요’ means ‘Don’t worry at all.’
조금도 이해했어요.
jo-geum-do i-hae-haess-eo-yo., jo geum do i hae haess eo yo.
조금도 is only used in negative sentences and cannot be used with affirmative ones like ‘이해했어요.’
전혀 조금도 모르겠어요.
jeon-hyeo jo-geum-do mo-reu-gess-eo-yo., jeon hyeo jo geum do mo reu gess eo yo.
전혀 and 조금도 together emphasize strong negation, making the sentence natural.
별로 조금도 재미있지 않아요.
byeol-ro jo-geum-do jae-mi-iss-ji an-a-yo., byeol ro jo geum do jae mi iss ji an a yo.
별로 and 조금도 have different usages and meanings and are not used together; ‘별로’ expresses ‘not really’ and overlaps with ‘조금도,’ causing unnaturalness.
Which sentence cannot use ‘전혀’?
Which sentence sounds natural with ‘별로’?
Which sentence uses ‘조금도’ correctly?
