万能

ばんのう

all-purpose, almighty, omnipotent

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"万能" means "all-powerful" or "versatile," describing something or someone capable of doing many things or solving many problems. It often implies a high degree of utility or adaptability.

Common Contexts

It is frequently used to describe tools, people, or solutions that can handle a wide range of tasks or situations. For example, a "万能钥匙" (master key) can open many locks, or a "万能人才" (versatile talent) can perform various jobs.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 万能钥匙: master key, used for opening many locks.
  • 万能人才: versatile person, skilled in many areas.
  • 万能: cure-all medicine, often used figuratively.

Nuances

While "万能" suggests broad capability, it rarely means literally everything is possible. In some contexts, it can be used ironically or to caution against expecting too much from one thing.

Common Confusion

Don't confuse "万能" with "全能" which also means all-around ability but is more often used for people’s skills or sports abilities. "万能" is broader and can apply to objects and abstract concepts as well.

Example Sentences

This tool is very versatile and can be used to repair all kinds of things.

He is a versatile talent who can do any kind of work.

Although this medicine is not a cure-all, it helps with many illnesses.

A master key can open many different locks.

He always wants to find a universal solution, but reality is complicated.