How to Say ‘Really?’ in Japanese
本当ですか！
hontou desu ka
[hontou dess kah]
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is the polite way to react to big news from in-laws. The casual 本当？ is for friends and close family your own age.
Phrase Breakdown
本当
hontou
[hontou]
really; true
Used when confirming truth or showing surprise.
その求人の話は本当ですか。
Is that job posting story true?
です
desu
[dess]
is; polite copula
A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.
少し伺いたいです。
I would like to ask a little.
か
ka
[kah]
question particle
か turns the sentence into a polite question.
行きますかと聞きました。
I asked, 'Will you go?'
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