Translation guide
The English adverb 'literally' has two main uses: emphasizing that something is true in a strict sense (not exaggerated), and as an intensifier for emphasis (often in informal speech). Japanese expresses these differently, and there is no single direct equivalent.
I literally ran 10 kilometers.
Emphasizes factual truth, no exaggeration.
I was literally dying of laughter.
Intensifier for emphasis; 本当に is common.
You want to stress that something is true exactly as stated, without exaggeration or metaphor.
He literally exploded with anger. · The city was literally flattened by the earthquake. · I'm not exaggerating; I literally saw a ghost.
The most direct equivalent, meaning 'to the letter' or 'in the literal sense'. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
Don't take what he said literally.
Often used to emphasize factual truth, similar to 'really' or 'truly'. Can overlap with 'literally' when stressing actual occurrence.
Conveys 'exactly' or 'precisely', often used when something matches a description perfectly. Can substitute for 'literally' in some contexts.
Means 'verbatim' or 'word-for-word'. Used in formal or academic contexts, such as translation or transcription.
You want to add strong emphasis, often in casual speech, similar to 'really' or 'absolutely'. This use is often hyperbolic.
I literally died laughing. · She literally has a million shoes. · It's literally freezing outside.
The most common and natural way to intensify a statement in Japanese. Works in almost all informal contexts.
I'm literally dead tired.
Very common casual/slang intensifier, similar to 'seriously' or 'for real'. Often used by younger speakers.
I literally almost cried.
Prefix meaning 'super' or 'ultra'. Used as an intensifier, especially in casual speech. Can replace 'literally' in hyperbolic statements.
Can be used for emphasis when something is a perfect example, but less common as a general intensifier.
When 'literally' is used as an intensifier in English (e.g., 'I literally died'), translating it as 文字通り would sound unnatural or confusing in Japanese. Use intensifiers like 本当に or マジで instead.
I literally died. (unnatural unless you actually died)
文字通り is for factual, non-figurative statements. 本当に is for emphasis and can be used in both factual and hyperbolic contexts. When in doubt, 本当に is safer for casual intensification.
These are very informal and should be avoided in formal situations. マジで can sound masculine or rough; 超 is more neutral but still casual. In polite conversation, stick to 本当に.
I literally just got home.
Intensifier use; 文字通り would be odd here.
The translation is too literal.
Using 文字通り to mean 'literal' in the sense of word-for-word.
その町は文字通り破壊された。
The town was literally destroyed.
I was literally awake all night.
それはまさに私が言いたかったことだ。
That's literally what I wanted to say.
I translated his speech literally (word-for-word).
That movie was literally the best.
It was literally hilarious!
It was literally a day from hell.