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本当にまあ (ほんとうにまあ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

本ほん当とうにまあ

Meanings

1

expression, adverb

how admirably; how wonderfully; how skillfully

An exclamatory phrase expressing admiration or amazement at someone's skill, quality, or achievement. Often used with a tone of impressed surprise.

本ほん当とうにまあ、よくできましたね。
My, how wonderfully well you've done it!
本ほん当とうにまあ、見み事ごとな演えん奏そうだった。
Really, what a splendid performance that was.

Kanji

本book, present, main
当hit, right, appropriate

Similar words

本ほん当とうに
本当に is a simple adverb meaning 'really' or 'truly'. 本当にまあ adds the interjectory まあ, turning it into an exclamation of admiration rather than a plain statement of fact.
まあ
まあ alone is a mild interjection ('oh', 'well'). Combined with 本当に, it intensifies the admiring tone.

Etymology

A fixed phrase combining the adverb 本当に (truly) with the interjection まあ (oh, my). The exact origin as a set expression is uncertain, but it likely developed as a natural emphatic exclamation.