本当(ほんとう)に

ほんとうに
adverb
really, truly
1. really, truly
Used to emphasize that something is genuine or to express sincere feelings.
本当(ほんとう)にありがとう。
Thank you so much.
この映画(えいが)は本当(ほんとう)に面白(おもしろ)かった。
This movie was really interesting.
彼(かれ)は本当(ほんとう)に日本語(にほんご)が上手(じょうず)で、初(はじ)めて聞(き)いたときは日本人(にほんじん)だと思(おも)った。
He is really good at Japanese — the first time I heard him speak, I thought he was Japanese.
2. indeed, certainly
Used to confirm or agree with something strongly.
本当(ほんとう)にそう思(おも)う。
I really do think so.
「今日(きょう)は暑(あつ)いね。」「本当(ほんとう)に。」
"It's hot today, isn't it?" "It sure is."
本当(ほんとう)に大変(たいへん)でしたね。お疲(つか)れさまでした。
That was really tough, wasn't it. Good work.

本当(ほんとう)に is the adverbial form of 本当(ほんとう) (truth/reality), used to emphasize sincerity or degree.

CASUAL FORMS:

  • ほんとに: common casual contraction
  • ほんと: very casual, often sentence-final
  • マジで: slang equivalent (from 本気(まじ))

COMMON USES:

  • 本当(ほんとう)にありがとう: thank you so much
  • 本当(ほんとう)にすみません: I'm really sorry
  • 本当(ほんとう)に美味(おい)しい: really delicious

SIMILAR ADVERBS:

  • 確(たし)かに: certainly, indeed (confirming facts)
  • 実(じつ)に: truly, indeed (more formal/literary)
  • とても: very (degree only, not sincerity)

NOTE:
本当(ほんとう)に emphasizes both degree (really good) and genuineness (truly/sincerely), while とても only emphasizes degree.

Related Words

Related: 確(たし)かに (certainly)
general
Added 2026.1.16 8:48 · Revised 2026.3.6 12:25
04500/04714_hontouni