Phrase lesson
How do you say "Really?" in Japanese?
Really?
Answer
Two layers, same practical line
ほんとうですか
ほんとう ですか
hontou desu ka
Lesson body
Phrase breakdown and usage notes
Quick use
Use ほんとうですか (hontou desu ka) when you want to react with “Really?” in a polite but natural way.
It is useful when someone tells you something surprising, new, or unexpected.
Chunk or pattern
- This is a fixed phrase.
- Learn the whole line first.
- Do not overthink the grammar at the beginning.
Core words
ほんとう: true, real.
Helper words and endings
ですか: makes it a polite question.
Practical note
Tone matters here. With a warm tone, it sounds interested. With a sharp tone, it can sound like you doubt the person.
Keep going
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