How to Say ‘Really’ in Japanese
ほんとうに
hontou ni
[hontou nee]
💬 Usage Tip: [ほんとうに] means “really” or “truly.” It can show emphasis, surprise, or sincerity depending on tone.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Japanese speakers often use [ほんとうに] to sound heartfelt, not just dramatic—so it can feel warm and genuine.
Phrase Breakdown
ほんとう
hontou
[hontou]
truth; real
ほんとう means “truth” or “real,” and in this phrase it helps mean “really.”
ほんとうにのほんとうは本当という意味です。
The ほんとう in ほんとうに means “truth” or “real.”
に
ni
[nee]
-ly; in
に turns ほんとう into an adverb, making it mean “really.”
ほんとうにのには言い方を変える働きがあります。
The に in ほんとうに changes the way the word is used.
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