A1 Expression 中性

本当ですか

Honto desu ka

Really? / Is that true?

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use {本当|ほんとう}ですか to express surprise or confirm information in almost any conversation.

  • Means: 'Is it true?' or 'Really?'
  • Used in: Confirming facts, reacting to surprising news, or checking details.
  • Don't confuse: Avoid using 'マジですか' in formal business settings.
Surprised face + Question mark = {本当|ほんとう}ですか

Explanation at your level:

This is a basic question. Use it to ask if something is true. It is polite and easy to use with everyone.
This phrase functions as a confirmation tool. It is essential for A2 learners to maintain flow in conversations by showing interest in the speaker's statements.
At this level, you recognize that this phrase is a social marker. It helps manage the 'truth-value' of a conversation while maintaining the appropriate level of politeness (teineigo).
Beyond simple confirmation, this phrase serves as a pragmatic device for 'active listening.' It signals to the interlocutor that the information provided is unexpected, thereby encouraging further elaboration.
The phrase acts as a sociolinguistic bridge. It allows the speaker to navigate the delicate balance between skepticism and politeness, often serving as a soft challenge to the veracity of a claim without causing face-loss.
This expression is a quintessential example of Japanese pragmatic ambiguity. It functions as a phatic expression, where the literal inquiry into truth is secondary to the communicative function of maintaining social harmony and demonstrating engagement.

意思

Expressing surprise or asking for confirmation.

🌍

文化背景

Japanese speakers often use this phrase to show they are listening, not necessarily because they doubt the speaker.

💡

Tone matters

Use a rising intonation to sound like a question, or a flat/falling one to sound surprised.

意思

Expressing surprise or asking for confirmation.

💡

Tone matters

Use a rising intonation to sound like a question, or a flat/falling one to sound surprised.

自我测试

Which is the polite way to ask 'Is it true?'

A: 本当か？ B: 本当ですか？

✓ 正确！ ✗ 不太对。 正确答案： B

B uses the polite 'desu' ending.

🎉 得分： /1

常见问题

1 个问题

Yes, it is polite.

相关表达

🔗

そうなんですか

similar

Is that so?

在哪里用

🏢

Office News

Tanaka: 来月、{支店|してん}が{閉|と}じるそうです。

Sato: {本当|ほんとう}ですか？

neutral
🛍️

Shopping

Clerk: この{商品|しょうひん}は50%オフです。

Customer: {本当|ほんとう}ですか！

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Hon-tou' as 'Honest-to-truth'. If you are honest to the truth, you ask 'Hon-tou desu ka?'

Visual Association

Imagine a detective with a magnifying glass asking a suspect, 'Is that the truth?'

Story

Ken hears that the train is delayed. He looks at the sign, surprised, and asks the station attendant, '{本当|ほんとう}ですか？' The attendant nods. Ken now knows the truth.

Word Web

真実嘘確認驚き事実本当

挑战

Use this phrase 3 times today when someone tells you something new.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

¿En serio?

Spanish uses 'En serio' while Japanese uses the noun 'Truth'.

French high

Vraiment ?

French is an adverb; Japanese is a noun-based phrase.

German high

Wirklich?

German is a single word; Japanese is a three-part phrase.

Japanese self

本当ですか

N/A

Arabic high

حقاً؟ (Haqqan?)

Arabic uses an adverbial form; Japanese uses a copula structure.

Easily Confused

本当ですか 对比 本当ですか vs そうですか

Learners mix up 'Is it true?' with 'Is that so?'

Use 'hontou' for truth/surprise, 'sou' for acknowledgement.

常见问题 (1)

Yes, it is polite.

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