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How to Say ‘Oh, really?’ in Japanese

そうなんだ。

sou na n da

[soh nah n dah]

💬 Usage Tip: Despite the translation, this isn't really a question; it's a falling "oh, I see" that shows you're listening.

Phrase Breakdown

そう

sou

[soh]

that way; so

Refers to what was just said by the other person.

Example

そう言っていただけて安心しました。

Hearing you say that made me feel relieved.

な

na

[nah]

(copula before ん)

Form of だ used before explanatory ん after nouns.

Example

休みなんです。

It's that it's a day off.

ん

n

[n]

(explanatory n)

Casual form of の; adds a tone of seeking or giving an explanation, often before です.

Example

どうしたんですか。

What happened?

だ

da

[dah]

is (informal)

Casual way of asserting a condition or identity.

Example

嫌いだ

I hate it.

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