Meaning and Usage
"本当" (ほんとう) means "real," "true," or "genuine." It is used to express the truthfulness or reality of something. It can function as a noun, an adjective (usually with の), or an adverb (when combined with に).
Common Contexts
You will often hear "本当" in everyday conversation when confirming facts or expressing sincerity. For example, "本当ですか？" is a common phrase to ask "Is that true?" or "Really?".
Collocations and Patterns
- 本当の + noun: to describe something as genuine or real (e.g., 本当の話 - a true story)
- 本当に + verb/adjective: to emphasize truth or sincerity (e.g., 本当にありがとう - Thank you very much)
- 本当かどうか: to question the truthfulness (e.g., 本当かどうか確かめる - to check if it's true)
Register and Nuance
"本当" is neutral and polite enough for daily use. It is not overly formal but appropriate in most social situations. It conveys a straightforward assertion or question about truth.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "本当" with "本物" (ほんもの), which means "genuine article" or "authentic object." Remember, "本当" relates to truth or reality, while "本物" refers to the authenticity of physical things.