Japanese word

まさか

Pronunciation

Romajimasaka

Meaning

  • interjectionno way!

Example

まさか、そんなことはありません。ma sa ka so n na ko to wa a ri ma se n

No way, that isn't true.

Illustration for まさか (no way!)

More examples

彼が一人でその仕事を終えたなんて、まさかと思いました。kare ga hito ri de so no shi goto o o e ta na n te ma sa ka to omo i ma shi ta

I thought there was no way he had finished the work alone.

Core concept

Marks a reaction of disbelief toward an unexpected claim or event that conflicts with what the speaker expects.

Common phrases

  • まさかと思うma sa ka to omo u

    think it can't be true

Definition in Japanese

思いがけないことや信じられないことに対して驚きや否定の気持ちを表す語。omo i ga ke na i ko to ya shin ji ra re na i ko to ni tai shi te odoro ki ya hi tei no ki mo chi o arawa su go

Word origin

The expression まさか (masaka) is linked to 真逆 (masaka, "the exact opposite"), from 真 (ma, "true") and 逆 (saka, "reverse"), but this connection does not fully establish its historical origin.

Usage tips

  • A speaker may use まさか (masaka) by itself to mean that a surprising claim cannot be true, giving the conversation an immediate reaction of disbelief.

Other meanings

  • surely notinterjection
  • you don't say!interjection

Word lists with this word