Japanese word

本当

Pronunciation

Romajihontō

Meaning

  • na-adjectivetrue
  • nountruth

Example

それは本当です。so re wa hon tō de su

That is true.

Illustration for 本当 (true)

More examples

本当のことを言ってください。hon tō no ko to o i tte ku da sa i

Please tell the truth.

その話が本当なら、みんなに知らせてください。so no hanashi ga hon tō na ra mi n na ni shi ra se te ku da sa i

If that story is true, please tell everyone.

Core concept

本当 (hontō) marks something as matching the facts or reality, not merely appearing so.

Common phrases

  • 本当のことhon tō no ko to

    the truth

  • 本当かどうかhon tō ka dō ka

    whether it is true

  • 本当の話hon tō no hanashi

    true story

Similar words

確かtashika: Certain or reliable because it is supported by evidence or trusted knowledge.

Definition in Japanese

事実に合っていて、偽りや間違いではないさま。ji jitsu ni a tte i te itsuwa ri ya ma chiga i de wa na i sa ma

Word origin

The compound 本当 (hontō) combines 本 (hon, "origin") and 当 (tō, "to fit or correspond"), giving the sense of what accords with the facts.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, 本当 (hontō) often stands alone as a question meaning "Really?" when a speaker hears surprising information.

Other meanings

  • realna-adjective

Opposites

  • うそusoliena-adjective

Related words

  • 本当らしいhontōrashiicrediblena-adjective

Word lists with this word