1.
to take seriously; to believe; to take at face value
To treat something said — often a joke, exaggeration, or casual remark — as if it were genuinely meant. Frequently used when someone mistakenly believes something that was not intended seriously.
冗談を本気にするな。
Don't take the joke seriously.
彼は私の嘘を本気にした。
He actually believed my lie.
適当に言っただけなのに、本気にしないでよ。
I just said it offhandedly — don't take it seriously.
Composed of 本気 (seriousness, earnestness) + にする (to treat as, to make into). The expression focuses on the listener's interpretation: treating something as serious or true.
USAGE:
Often used in the negative imperative 本気にするな / 本気にしないで (don't take it seriously). Distinct from 本気を出す (to get serious, to give it one's all), which is about one's own effort rather than interpreting someone else's words.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 冗談を本気にする — to take a joke seriously
- 本気にしないで — don't take it seriously
- 本気にされる — to be taken seriously (passive)
- 嘘を本気にする — to believe a lie
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 真に受ける — to take at face value (very similar; slightly more formal)
- 信じる — to believe (neutral; broader usage)
- 本気を出す — to get serious, to give it one's all (different meaning: about effort, not belief)