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    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. ほんま

    ほんま

    ほんま

    This word means 'really' or 'truly'. It is used in the Kansai area of Japan.

    KMT5CasualDiscourse MarkerMixedKansaiKansai Particles And ConjunctionsGrammar

    ほんまPrimary
    ほんまに

    This word means 'really' or 'truly'. It is used in the Kansai area of Japan.

    ほんま、このラーメンめっちゃうまいわ。

    For real, this ramen is incredibly delicious.

    CasualNon PastAffirmativeClause InitialEmphaticFood & Dining
    え、来らい週しゅうの会かい議ぎ、中ちゅう止しになったん?ほんま?

    Wait, next week's meeting was cancelled? For real?

    CasualPastAffirmativeSentence EndingConjecturalWork & Career
    あいつの言いうことは、ほんまに信しん用ようできひんわ。

    You really can't trust what that guy says.

    CasualNon PastNegativeMid SentenceDeclarativeFamily & Relationships
    昨きの日うの試し合あい、ほんまに惜おしかったなあ。

    Yesterday's game was a real heartbreaker, wasn't it?

    CasualPastAffirmativeMid SentenceEmphaticSports & Martial Arts
    ほんまにありがとうございます。助たすかりましたわ。

    Thank you so very much. You've been a great help.

    PolitePastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeDaily Life

    This word feels different depending on who says it. If someone from Kansai says it, it sounds normal. If someone not from Kansai says it, it might sound like a joke. You can also use it to mean the opposite, like saying 'yeah, right' in English. Your voice shows what you mean.

    ほんま (honma) means 'really'. It is like 本当 (hontou) in standard Japanese. ほんま feels warmer and more casual. You might hear 'ほんまですか' (Honma desu ka?). This is like '本当ですか' (Hontou desu ka?).

    Use this when you want to show strong feelings. You can show surprise. You can ask if something is true. Or you can agree with someone very much.

    Contrasts with(1)

    知らんけど

    This phrase means "I don't know, but..." You add it to the end of a sentence. It shows you are not sure about what you just said.

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    • 知らんけど

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