Translation guide
Expressing disbelief or skepticism in Japanese. The most natural ways depend on whether you are showing surprise, questioning something, or reacting to something hard to believe.
Reacting to something surprising or hard to believe, often with a facial expression or interjection.
Literally 'I can't believe it.' This is the most common and natural way to express incredulity in Japanese. It can be used in both casual and polite contexts.
えっ、信じられない！
What? I can't believe it!
I can't believe he would do such a thing.
An interjection expressing disbelief, like 'No way!' or 'You must be kidding!' Often used when you hear something unexpected.
まさか！本当に？
No way! Really?
Literally 'lie,' but used as an exclamation meaning 'You're kidding!' or 'No way!' Very casual.
うそ！そんなことある？
No way! Is that even possible?
Polite way to ask 'Really?' or 'Is that true?' It conveys incredulity in a more formal or polite manner.
本当ですか？信じられない話ですね。
Really? That's an unbelievable story.
Describing someone's attitude or expression as incredulous, often in narrative or descriptive contexts.
Literally 'half-believing, half-doubting expression.' This is a common way to describe an incredulous look.
彼は半信半疑の表情で私を見た。
He looked at me with an incredulous expression.
Literally 'eyes that seem to doubt.' Describes a skeptical or incredulous gaze.
彼女は疑わしそうな目でその話を聞いていた。
She listened to the story with an incredulous look in her eyes.
An adjective meaning 'hard to believe' or 'incredible.' Can be used to describe a situation or story that evokes incredulity.
それは信じがたい話だ。
That's an incredible (hard-to-believe) story.
Expressing incredulity by questioning the truth or logic of a statement.
Pattern meaning 'It's impossible that...' or 'There's no way that...' Used to express strong disbelief.
彼が嘘をつくなんてありえない。
There's no way he would lie.
Pattern meaning 'It can't be that...' or 'There's no way...' Expresses logical incredulity.
彼がそんなことをするはずがない。
He can't possibly do such a thing.
There is no single Japanese adjective that directly corresponds to 'incredulous.' Using a dictionary translation like 懐疑的 (かいぎてき, skeptical) may sound too formal or clinical. Instead, use phrases that convey the feeling of disbelief naturally.
信じられない is a straightforward statement of disbelief, while まさか is an interjection used when you are caught off guard. まさか often implies 'I never expected that.'