How to Say ‘Really?’ in Japanese
ほんとうですか。
hontou desu ka
[hohn-toh dess kah]
🇯🇵 In Japan: This often sounds like mild surprise or interest, not a challenge. The tone matters: said warmly, it encourages the other person to keep talking.
Phrase Breakdown
ほんとう
hontou
[hohn-toh]
really; true
Shows surprise, interest, or checking if what was said is true.
ほんとうですか。
Really? / Is that true?
ですか
desu ka
is it?; are you?
A polite question ending used to ask for confirmation or information.
あなたは がくせいですか。
Are you a student?
Words in this phrase
です
desu
[dess]
is; am; are
Part of a polite question asking if something is true.
ほんとうですか。
Really? / Is that true?
か
ka
[kah]
question marker
Turns the statement into a polite question.
ほんとうですか。
Really? / Is that true?
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