Translation guide
The English word "really" has several core uses: expressing sincerity or truth, intensifying adjectives, showing surprise or interest, and softening statements. Japanese uses different words and strategies for each.
Emphasizing that something is true or sincere, often to confirm or assert.
The most common and versatile way to say 'really' meaning 'truly'. Can be used in both statements and questions.
本当にありがとう。
Thank you very much. (Really, thank you.)
それは本当にあった話ですか。
Is that a story that really happened?
Means 'actually' or 'in reality'. Used when contrasting with appearance or assumption.
実際に行ってみたら、とてもきれいだった。
When I actually went there, it was very beautiful.
Used to reveal a truth or confess something, similar to 'actually' or 'to tell the truth'.
実は、私も同じことを考えていました。
Actually, I was thinking the same thing.
Intensifying an adjective or adverb to mean 'very' or 'extremely'.
The standard neutral intensifier meaning 'very'. Safe for most situations.
このケーキはとてもおいしい。
This cake is really delicious.
Also used as an intensifier, often with a nuance of 'truly' or 'genuinely'.
Casual intensifier, more emphatic than とても. Common in spoken Japanese.
すごく楽しかった！
It was really fun!
Very casual slang, mainly used by younger people. Equivalent to 'super' or 'really'.
めっちゃいいじゃん！
That's really great!
Showing surprise, disbelief, or interest in what someone said, like 'Really?' or 'Oh, really?'.
The most common way to say 'Really?' with rising intonation. Casual.
A: 明日引っ越すんだ。B: 本当？
A: I'm moving tomorrow. B: Really?
Polite version of 'Really?'. Use in formal situations.
本当ですか？信じられません。
Really? I can't believe it.
Very casual slang, often used among friends. Can sound rough.
マジ？それやばくない？
Really? Isn't that crazy?
Using 'really' to soften a statement or express hesitation, often in negative sentences.
Used with negative verbs/adjectives to mean 'not really' or 'not very'. Standard.
あまり好きじゃない。
I don't really like it.
Similar to あまり but can be more emphatic. Often used in questions and negatives.
Means 'not particularly' or 'not really'. Often used alone as a casual reply.
While 本当に covers many uses, it can sound overly serious or literal in casual intensifier contexts. Use とても or すごく for 'very' in everyday speech.
すごくいい天気だね。
It's really nice weather, isn't it?
本当に疲れた。
I'm really tired.
そんなに高くないよ。
It's not really that expensive.
A: Are you tired? B: Not really.