How do you say "What does it really mean?" in Japanese?

"What does it really mean?" in Japanese is "本当はどういう意味？". This phrase is commonly used in Japan.

What does "本当はどういう意味？" mean in English?

"本当はどういう意味？" means "What does it really mean?" in English. Usage tip: [本当は] adds the nuance of “actually” or “really.” The sentence asks for the deeper or real meaning.

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How to Say ‘What does it really mean?’ in Japanese

本当はどういう意味？

hontou wa dou iu imi

[hon-toh wah doh ee-oo ee-mee]

💬 Usage Tip: [本当は] adds the nuance of “actually” or “really.” The sentence asks for the deeper or real meaning.

🇯🇵 In Japan: Japanese often softens direct questions, but this phrase is still natural when asking for clarification in study or discussion.

Phrase Breakdown

本当

hontou

[hon-toh]

truth; real; true

Used for something true or real; here it helps ask about the real meaning.

Example

本当の気持ちを話してください。

Please talk about your true feelings.

は

[wah]

as for; actually speaking of

Topic particle. Here it marks 本当 as the topic, like 'as for the real point...'

Example

これは大切な本です。

As for this, it is an important book.

どういう意味

dou iu imi

what kind of meaning; what does it mean?

Used to ask for the meaning or sense of something.

Example

この言葉はどういう意味ですか。

What does this word mean?

Words in this phrase

どう

dou

[doh]

what kind of; what do you mean by

Used to ask for explanation or clarification.

Example

どう考えればいいですか。

How should I think about it?

いう

[ee-oo]

to say; such that one says

From 言う. In どういう, it forms the idea of 'what kind of ... do you say/mean'.

Example

友だちがいう言葉を覚えました。

I remembered the words my friend said.

意味

imi

[ee-mee]

meaning

A noun meaning meaning, sense, or significance.

Example

この名前には意味があります。

This name has meaning.

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