N487/179

真(っ)

真っ + i-adjective (e.g., 真っ赤, 真っ青, 真っ白)真っ + な + Noun (e.g., 真っ白な雪)真っ直ぐ + Verb / Adverbial usage (e.g., 真っ直ぐ進む)真っ + Adverbial form (e.g., 真っ先に)

Meanings

  • Completely
  • Absolutely
  • Right on target
  • Very much / extremely (emphasis)

About this pattern

Explanation

真(っ) is a powerful prefix used to intensify adjectives and some phrases, meaning completely, absolutely, or very much. It often modifies color or appearance (真っ赤, 真っ白), or marks a straightforward action (真っ直ぐ進む). It can also appear in fixed expressions like 真っ先に. It lends a strong, dramatic sense, so use it for vivid descriptions or emphatic statements, typically in informal to neutral contexts. When used with na-adjectives or nouns, it becomes 真っ白な, 真っ黒な, etc.

Learn in context

Example sentences

真っ赤な花が庭に咲いている。

Bright red flowers are blooming in the garden.

真っ白な雪景色だった。

It was a pure white snowy landscape.

車は真っ直ぐ進んだ。

The car went straight ahead.

彼女は真っ青な顔をしている。

Her face is pale blue / extremely pale.