まさか
まさか
adverb
surely not, no way
1.
surely not, no way, by no means
Expresses disbelief or denial that something could be true or happen.
「合格したよ」「まさか！」
"I passed!" "No way!"
Used as an interjection expressing disbelief
まさか彼が犯人だとは思わなかった。
I never thought he could be the culprit.
まさかこんなことになるとは思ってもいなかった。
I never dreamed things would turn out like this.
2.
just in case, in the unlikely event
Used with の/に to mean 'in case of emergency' or 'for an unexpected situation.'
まさかの時のために貯金している。
I'm saving money for a rainy day.
まさかの時 = emergency, unexpected situation
まさかの事態に備えて、非常食を用意しておいた。
I prepared emergency food in case of an unexpected situation.
まさかの場合は、この連絡先に電話してください。
In the unlikely event of an emergency, please call this contact number.
USAGE PATTERNS:
- まさか〜ないだろう (surely...won't)
- まさか〜とは思わなかった (never thought that...)
- まさか！ (No way! - as an exclamation)
- まさかの時 (in case of emergency)
- まさかの事態 (unexpected situation)
NUANCE:
まさか conveys strong doubt or disbelief. When something actually happens that you thought was impossible, you might say まさか本当だとは... (I never thought it was actually true...).