まじで？
maji de?
The English phrase "are you serious?" is translated into Japanese as まじで？ (maji de?)
This phrase is an informal expression used to show surprise or disbelief about something someone has just said. It can be used as a genuine question of disbelief or as a conversational filler to show that you are listening to surprising news.
What does it mean word for word?
The particle で is added to the noun maji to turn it into an adverbial phrase meaning "in earnest" or "seriously".
Which one should you use?
You might encounter the even more clipped slang version マジ？, which simply drops the particle で.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase まじで？ is very casual and is used with friends. In polite situations, you should use 本当ですか？ to express disbelief or to ask for confirmation. While まじで？ is informal, the version マジ？ is considered even more casual slang used among close friends.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, people often substitute Maji with Honma ni? to convey the same meaning.
How do you pronounce it?
maji de?
Did you know?
- The word maji is often written in katakana as マジ instead of hiragana to give it a sharper, more modern, or 'slangy' visual feeling in text messages.
- In many Japanese subcultures, such as the 'gyaru' style, the word maji is frequently used as a prefix to almost any adjective to add emphasis, much like 'totally' in English.
- The term maji originally stems from the word majime, which means 'serious' or 'earnest' in a formal context.
Examples in context
- まじで？Maji de?Are you serious?
- えっ、まじで？E, maji de?Wait, are you serious?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a sudden change in plans.
- 陽葵 Himari明日、テストがあるんだって。Ashita, tesuto ga arun datte.I heard there is a test tomorrow.
- 大翔 Hirotoまじで？全然知らなかった。Maji de? Zenzen shiranakatta.Are you serious? I had no idea.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔くん、本当に勉強してないの？Hiroto-kun, hontou ni benkyou shite nai no?Hiroto, have you really not studied?
- 大翔 Hiroto全然やってないよ。Zenzen yattenai yo.I haven't done any at all.
