うそでしょ
uso desho
In Japanese, "yeah right" is expressed as うそでしょ (uso desho).
This phrase is an expression used to show disbelief or skepticism toward something someone has just said. Depending on your tone, it can express genuine shock or be used sarcastically to mean "no way" or "you're kidding."
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of うそ, which means "lie" and the particle でしょ, which is used to seek agreement or confirm a supposition, similar to "right?" in English.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
うそでしょ is an informal phrase and should not be used in professional or formal settings.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai dialect, you can use ウソやん to say "that's a lie" or "yeah right".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase うそでしょ functions as a single unit to express disbelief, much like the English sarcastic "yeah, right".
How do you pronounce it?
uso desho
Did you know?
- In certain contexts, young Japanese speakers use うそ as a filler word to express general amazement, even when they fully believe the statement being made.
- The meaning of うそでしょ can flip from a skeptical 'yeah right' to a serious accusation based entirely on whether the tone of voice rises or falls at the end.
- Using ウソやん instead of うそでしょ serves as a social signal that the speaker is using the friendly regional dialect of Osaka.
Examples in context
- うそでしょ？uso desho?Yeah right?
- そんなの、うそでしょ。sonna no, uso desho.That's a lie, yeah right.
- え、うそでしょ！e, uso desho!Wait, yeah right!
Example conversation
Yui and Daito are talking about a surprise test.
- 結衣 Yui明日、テストがあるんだって。Ashita, tesuto ga aru n datte.I heard we have a test tomorrow.
- 大翔 Hirotoうそでしょ！聞いてないよ。Uso desho! Kiitenai yo.Yeah right! I didn't hear anything about that.
- 結衣 Yui先生がさっき言っていたよ。Sensei ga sakki itte ita yo.The teacher just said so a moment ago.
- 大翔 Hirotoもう、最悪だ。Mou, saiaku da.Man, this is the worst.
