まさか
Meanings
no way!; you don't say!; never!
Exclamatory interjection expressing strong disbelief, surprise, or rejection of an idea. Often used as a standalone reaction.
"I'm moving tomorrow." "No way!"
certainly (not); surely (not); hardly (expected)
Adverbial use with a negative verb, meaning 'it cannot possibly be that...' or 'there is no way that...'. Emphasizes strong doubt or denial.
I never thought he could be the culprit.
Surely that can't be true.
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
unexpected event; emergency; contingency
Noun or no-adjective referring to an unforeseen, often undesirable situation. Common in the set phrase まさかの時 (in case of emergency).
See also: まさかの時
I save money in case of an emergency.
Don't panic in an unexpected situation.
adverb, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
indeed; really; truly; unexpectedly
Adverbial or no-adjective use expressing that something is surprisingly true or real, often with a nuance of 'contrary to expectation'. Can be used in affirmative sentences, unlike sense 2.
See also: 本当に
I didn't think you'd actually come.
It was a truly unexpected come-from-behind victory.
the present; the here and now; current situation
Archaic noun meaning the present moment or current circumstances. No longer used in modern Japanese outside of historical or literary contexts.
In classical Japanese, まさか can mean 'now, this place'.
Usage patterns
- まさか〈事〉とは思わなかったnever thought that...(would happen)
I never imagined that he could be the culprit.
- まさか〈人〉が〜なんてexpressing shock that a certain person would do something
I can't believe she'd tell a lie like that.
- まさかの時に備えるto prepare for an emergency or the unexpected
I keep emergency food on hand in case something unexpected happens.
- まさかそんなことがused to express disbelief at hearing surprising news
I can't believe such a thing could happen.