全て

すべて · subete · JLPT N3 · noun

all

From 統べる (suberu, to unite or rule over): すべて = all of it, gathered together

すべて is the te-form of the old verb 統べる, to bring together under one rule. Whatever is united under one ruler is everything. The kanji 全 (whole, complete) is also in 全部 (zenbu, all) and 完全 (kanzen, perfect).

全 — enter 入 on top + jade 玉
Originally written as 入 (enter) over 玉 (jade), depicting a complete, unflawed piece of jade kept in storage. From this image of a perfect jade came the meanings 'whole,' 'complete,' and 'entire.' The top component is sometimes written as 人.

More Japanese words · How Japanese works