“kotogotoku・nokorazu”: Entirely / Every Single One (without exception) [JLPT N1]
By Nihongo to Japan · Updated July 3, 2026
A written way to stress that there are no exceptions
“kotogotoku・nokorazu”: Entirely / Every Single One (without exception)
「ことごとく」 is an adverb meaning “entirely, every single one, without exception” — stressing all within a range, with no exceptions. E.g. 「彼の試みはことごとくうまくいかなかった」 (his attempts failed every single one), 「提案がことごとく却下された」 (the proposals were all rejected, without exception). It often precedes negative, unwished-for outcomes (all failed, all rejected), with a strong, written tone.
🧠 Core nuance: not a single exception — all of them…
The core is “all, without exception”: every one within a range, none missed (all failed, all predictions wrong). ことごとく carries a sense of “not one left, utterly”, often with negative outcomes (the plan all fell through, proposals all rejected), tinged with regret or helplessness. It's more written and stronger than 全部. 残らず is a near-synonym (not one left).
📌 How to Connect
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ことごとく ＋ (verb, often negative) | entirely, every one | ことごとく失敗した |
| 残らず ＋ verb | not one left | 残らず食べた |
| (note) not with “one”/singular | — | — |
💬 Example Sentences
- 彼の試みは、ことごとくうまくいかなかった。(His attempts failed, every single one.) — all failed
- 提案が、ことごとく却下された。(The proposals were rejected one and all.) — without exception
- 私の予想は、ことごとく外れた。(My predictions were all off the mark.) — all wrong
- 反対意見を、ことごとく無視した。(He ignored every objection.) — all
- 用意した料理は、残らず平らげられた。(The dishes prepared were polished off, every last one.) — 残らず
🔄 Compare: ことごとく vs 残らず vs すべて vs 一つ残らず
| Expression | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ことごとく | “every one, without exception” (emphatic, often negative) | ことごとく失敗 |
| 残らず | “not one left” (used up entirely) | 残らず食べた |
| すべて | “all” (neutral, general) | すべて終わった |
| 一つ残らず | “every last one” (emphatic) | 一つ残らず集めた |
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Pairing with a singular/“one”: ✗ ことごとく一つ買う (contradictory) → ことごとく means “all, plural,” not a single item.
- Adding を/だ: the adverb modifies the verb directly (ことごとく失敗する).
- Mostly negative: ことごとく often precedes unwished-for outcomes (失敗・却下・外れる); rarely all-good things.
- Casual settings: it leans written; everyday speech uses 全部・みんな.
💡 Nuance & When to Use
ことごとく is a written, emphatic adverb for “entirely, every single one, without exception,” often with negative outcomes (attempts all failed, proposals all rejected, predictions all wrong), with a thorough, regretful tone. It's more written and forceful than 全部, common in argument, reporting, and literature. 残らず is a near-synonym (not one left). For a casual “all,” use 全部・みんな. Master its “no exception + often negative” feel. A must at N1.
🎯 JLPT Exam Tips
- Commonly tested at N1: ことごとく = entirely, every one (without exception), often with negative outcomes.
- Connection: the adverb modifies a verb; not with a singular.
- Distinction: ことごとく (no exception, emphatic) vs すべて (neutral) vs 残らず (not one left).
🖊️ 練習題（5題）
Q1. 「彼の試みは___うまくいかなかった。」（統統不順利）
(A) ことごとく (B) いまだに (C) しばらく (D) ますます
Q2. 「ことごとく」が接しやすい結果は?
(A) 負面、不如意（失敗・却下・落空）
(B) 全是好事
(C) 中性的時間
(D) 命令
Q3. 「提案がことごとく却下された」の意味は?
(A) 提案一一(無一例外)被駁回
(B) 提案全部通過
(C) 沒有提案
(D) 只有一個被駁回
Q4. 「ことごとく」の意味は?
(A) 全部／一一（無一例外）
(B) 偶爾
(C) 一點點
(D) 從不
Q5. 用法が自然なのは?
(A) 予想がことごとく外れた。 (B) ことごとくを食べる。
(C) ことごとくだ高い。 (D) ことごとく一つ買う(矛盾)。
答案解析
1. (A) ことごとく ── 統統不順利。
2. (A) ── 多接負面結果。
3. (A) ── 一一被駁回。
4. (A) ── 全部/無一例外。
5. (A) ── 「予想がことごとく外れた」正確。