Daily · Japanese
Practice this phrase
Japanese · 日本語
Translation
本当ですか
Romanization
Hontou desu ka
Pronunciation
hon-toh dess kah
When to use it
Use this in everyday conversation. These phrases are generally safe for work, travel, and casual interactions. In Japanese, tone and relationship matter; when unsure, choose a polite version or soften your delivery.
Example
本当ですか — a natural sentence for ordinary conversation for "are you sure".
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FAQ
You say "本当ですか" in Japanese. The romanized form is "Hontou desu ka", and a simple pronunciation cue is "hon-toh dess kah".
This entry is marked as polite. The usage note explains when the phrase is appropriate and when you should soften it.
Use "hon-toh dess kah" as a learner-friendly pronunciation cue. The romanization is "Hontou desu ka".
Use this in everyday conversation. These phrases are generally safe for work, travel, and casual interactions. In Japanese, tone and relationship matter; when unsure, choose a polite version or soften your delivery.