Translation and Meaning of: 凡ゆる - arayuru

If you've ever wondered how to say "all" or "each" in Japanese in a way that sounds natural and even a bit poetic, the word 凡ゆる (あらゆる) deserves your attention. It not only carries a comprehensive meaning but also has an interesting story behind its kanji and its use in everyday life. In this article, you will discover everything from the etymology to practical tips for memorizing this expression — plus, some ready-made sentences to add to your Anki or preferred study method. After all, who hasn't struggled when choosing between すべて and あらゆる?

Suki Nihongo, the largest online Japanese dictionary, offers here not just the translation, but also the details that make a difference: the revealing pictogram, the origin that explains why this word exists, and even how it appears in songs or dramas. Get ready to go beyond the obvious and understand why 凡ゆる is more than just a simple synonym for "everyone."

Etymology and Origin of 凡ゆる

The word 凡ゆる is written with the kanji 凡 (bon/han), which carries the idea of "common" or "general," and ゆる, an archaic form of the verb する (suru). Together, they create the sense of "encoming everything that exists," as if it were an umbrella over the world. Interestingly, the reading あらゆる does not follow the traditional rules of on'yomi or kun'yomi — it is an example of how Japanese has absorbed and adapted expressions over the centuries.

In the Heian period (794–1185), this construction already appeared in classical texts to emphasize totality, almost like "everyone without exception." Unlike すべて, which lists items, あらゆる brings a more abstract nuance. Imagine a poet describing "all the flowers in the field" versus a merchant counting "all the products on the shelf" — the first scene fits this word much better.

Everyday Lies and Nuances

Nowadays, あらゆる is more common in formal or artistic contexts. Journalists use it in headlines like "あらゆる手段を講じる" (adopt all possible means), and writers prefer it to create grand atmospheres. A valuable tip: it almost always precedes a noun, as in あらゆる場所 (every place) or あらゆる可能性 (each possibility).

But be careful — don’t try to replace it with みんな in a casual conversation about "all friends." It would sound as strange as using "all the creatures on this planet" instead of "everyone" in Portuguese. This is the trap that catches many students: the technical meaning is correct, but the situation calls for something simpler like 全部 or 皆.

Pictogram and Memorization Tips

The kanji 凡 looks like a frame with three drops falling — visualize it as "something so common that it even resembles water." On the other hand, ゆる (in its modern form する) is the action of encoming. One effective technique is to associate the image of a funnel (凡) sifting through everything (ゆる) that exists. Want a real example? Think of the phrase: あらゆる星が輝く (all stars shine), and imagine the night sky being "sifted" by this cosmic funnel.

To fix it once and for all, create flashcards with contrasts: on one side "all the books (from a list)" = すべての本, on the other side "all the books (of the universe)" = あらゆる本. And if you like music, search for あらゆる in the lyrics of RADWIMPS or Kenshi Yonezu — artists who love this word to convey emotional grandeur.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• ありとあらゆる (ari to arayuru) - all things; all possibilities; literally "everything and anything".
• すべての (subete no) - everything; everything that exists; can be used in general contexts.
• あらゆる (arayuru) - all things; implies a broad variety; "any type".
• いかなる (ikanaru) - any; emphasizes the absence of exceptions; often used in formal contexts.
• いろんな (ironna) - various; many; colloquial and informal, used to refer to a variety of things.
• かんがえうる (kangaeuru) - all possibilities; suggests that something can be considered.
• すべからく (subekaraku) - must; it is necessary that; implies obligation or need for something to apply to all.
• すべてのもの (subete no mono) - all things; emphasizes the concreteness of objects.
• すべての種類の (subete no shurui no) - all types of; used when classifying a variety of types or categories.
• すべての可能性の (subete no kanousei no) - all possibilities; emphasizes all available options.
• すべての事柄の (subete no kotogara no) - all the questions; refers to all the topics addressed.
• すべての種類のもの (subete no shurui no mono) - all kinds of things; emphasizes the variety among objects.
• すべての種類のこと (subete no shurui no koto) - all the questions; similar to the previous one but emphasizing subjects instead of objects.
• すべての種類の可能性の (subete no shurui no kanousei no) - all possible types; emphasizes the variety among the available options.
• すべての種類の事柄の (subete no shurui no kotogara no) - All types of questions refer to questions that differ in type or category.
• ありとあらゆるもの (ari to arayuru mono) - all things; emphasis on including everything without exception.
• ありとあらゆる種類の (ari to arayuru shurui no) - all types; refers to a range of types without exclusions.
• ありとあらゆる可能性の (ari to arayuru kanousei no) - all possibilities; suggests all existing options.