How to Say "Literal" in Japanese

文字通り

mojidōri[mo̞ʑido̞ːɾʲi]

The English word "literal" is translated into Japanese as 文字通り (mojidōri).

文字通り is used to emphasize that a statement should not be taken as a metaphor or hyperbole.

Meaning: exactly as stated, read or understood without interpretation (adj)

How does it change in a sentence?

Adding the particle に allows the phrase to function as an adverb to modify a verb or adjective to create 文字通りに.

mojidōri

The phrase 文字通り is composed of 文字 meaning 'letter' and 通り meaning 'street' or 'way'. In this context, 通り functions as a suffix meaning 'in accordance with' or 'following a path'.
While English speakers often use 'literally' as a filler word to add emphasis to hyperbole, using 文字通り in that way in Japanese can sound stiff or overly formal.
In Japanese literature, a 'literal' reading is often contrasted with a 'reading between the lines', a concept highly valued in Japanese culture.

その文は文字通り解釈すべきです。
That sentence should be interpreted literally.
その文は文字どおり受け取っていいよ。
You can take that sentence literally.
彼女の言葉は意味通りに理解しなければならない。
We must understand her words literally.
彼女の言葉はまさにそのまま理解しなきゃ。
We gotta understand her words just as they are.
彼は文字通り、泣き崩れた。
Kare wa mojitōri, nakikuzureta.
He literally broke down in tears.
それは文字通りの意味ではありません。
Sore wa mojitōri no imi de wa arimasen.
That is not the literal meaning.

Hiiro and Ren are discussing a confusing phrase in a book.

陽葵 Himari

この文章の意味がわかりません。
Kono bunshou no imi ga wakarimasen.
I don't understand the meaning of this sentence.
蓮 Ren

文字通りに考えると難しいですね。
Mojidoori ni kangaeru to muzukashii desu ne.
It's difficult if you think about it literally.
陽葵 Himari

比喩的に捉えるべきでしょうか？
Hiyuteki ni toraeru beki deshou ka?
Should I take it figuratively?
蓮 Ren

はい、そうだと思います。
Hai, sou da to omoimasu.
Yes, I think so.

Sources

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