Breakdown of hontou
book; origin
本
To make a book, you need approximately one tree.
success
当
Even though he is small, Yo's life is one big success.
Usages of hontou
本当 です か？hontou desu ka?
Really? / Is it true?
Used when surprised, or when not fully trusting what has been said.
本当 に ごめん なさい。hontou ni gomen nasai.
I'm truly sorry.
本当 にhontou ni
really, truly
その 話 が 本当 か どう か 知って います か？sono hanasi ga hontou ka dou ka sitte imasu ka?
Do you know whether or not that story is true?
彼 に 本当 の こと を 言いづらい。kare ni hontou no koto wo iidurai.
It's hard to tell him the truth.
Learn hontou and more in Japanese
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓ Learn at your own pace — completely free