真的吗
zhen de ma
The English phrase "oh really" can be translated into Chinese as 真的吗 (zhen de ma).
The phrase is used to show surprise or to ask for confirmation when someone shares new information.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 真的 (zhēn de), meaning 'real' or 'true' and 吗 (ma), a particle used to form yes/no questions. Literally, it translates to 'really [is it]?'
Which one should you use?
While 真的吗 is a question used to ask 'Really?', the form 真的 is an adverb used to state 'Really' or 'Truly' (for example, 'I really like it'). Additionally, 是吗 can be used as a synonym to express a similar sense of 'Is that so?' or 'Really?'
How does it change in a sentence?
To express surprise or seek confirmation, the phrase is typically spoken with a rising intonation at the end, similar to English. You may also use 是吗！ as an emphasizer to express surprise or astonishment.
How do you pronounce it?
zhen de ma
Did you know?
- Chinese has a concept called 'face' (面子), and using 真的吗 too aggressively in a professional setting can accidentally imply that the speaker is lying, which causes the other person to 'lose face'.
- While 真的吗 is a standard way to ask 'Really?', in some northern dialects or more colloquial settings, you might hear people use 真的假的 which literally translates to 'True or false?' to express the same disbelief.
- In texting or online chatting, Chinese speakers often replace the formal 真的吗 with the slangy, cute-sounding 真哒 (zhēn da) to make their surprise seem more playful and less serious.
Examples in context
- 你知道吗？妹妹考上了清华大学。- 你在开玩笑吧？真的吗？Did you know? My sister got accepted into Tsinghua University. – Are you kidding? Really?
- 我刚刚看到他买了一辆豪车。- 真的假的？好羡慕！I just saw him buy a luxury car. – Oh really? I'm so jealous!
- 真的吗？zhēn de ma?Oh, really?
- 你明天要结婚了，真的吗？nǐ míng tiān yào jié hūn le, zhēn de ma?You are getting married tomorrow, oh really?
- 他真的会来吗？真的吗？tā zhēn de huì lái ma? zhēn de ma?He is actually coming? Oh really?
Example conversation
Zhiqiang and Yuting are talking about a surprise party.
- 雨婷 Yuting志强，明天有一个惊喜派对。Zhìqiáng, míngtiān yǒu yīgè jīngxǐ pàiduì.Zhiqiang, there is a surprise party tomorrow.
- 志强 Zhiqiang真的吗？谁在办派对？Zhēnde ma? Shéi zài bàn pàiduì?Oh really? Who is throwing the party?
- 雨婷 Yuting是我们所有朋友一起办的。Shì wǒmen suǒyǒu péngyǒu yīqǐ bàn de.All of our friends are doing it together.
- 志强 Zhiqiang太棒了，我很期待！Tài bàng le, wǒ hěn qīdài!That's great, I'm looking forward to it!
