What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverb 本当に (hontō ni), meaning 'really' or 'truly' and the adjective かわいい (kawaii), meaning 'cute' or 'pretty'. Adding the particle 'ni' to the noun 'hontō' turns it into the adverb 'hontō ni'.
Which one should you use?
The word かわいい emphasizes cuteness or charm, whereas きれい is used to emphasize physical beauty or elegance. To express being extremely cute, you might use めちゃくちゃかわいい.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Other formal variations include 本当にきれいですね (You're really pretty, aren't you?) and 本当に美しいです (You're really beautiful). For a very formal approach to complimenting someone's appearance, you can use 容姿が本当に素晴らしいですね (Your appearance is really wonderful, isn't it?).
How does it change in a sentence?
The word かわいい is an i-adjective, which means it can be used directly to describe a subject without needing a verb like 'to be'.
How do you pronounce it?
hontō ni kawaii
Did you know?
- If you use the slang めちゃくちゃ to mean 'extremely', you are using a word that literally translates to 'to destroy' or 'to wreck'.
- In Japanese culture, the appropriate response to 本当にかわいい is often to deny the compliment with a modest そんなことないです (that is not the case).
- The word かわいい once had a completely different meaning, originally used to describe someone 'pitiful' or 'helpless' in the Heian period.
Examples in context
- 今日の美咲ちゃんは本当にかわいい。Kyou no Misaki-chan wa hontou ni kawaii.Misaki is really pretty today.
- 彼女は本当にかわいい人だ。Kanojo wa hontou ni kawaii hito da.She is a really pretty person.
Example conversation
Youta gives Misaki a compliment while they are walking together.
- 陽太 Yota今日の美咲は本当にかわいいよ。Kyou no Misaki wa hontou ni kawaii yo.Misaki, you are really pretty today.
- 美咲 Misaki本当？うれしい！Hontou? Ureshii!Really? I'm so happy!
- 陽太 Yota嘘じゃないよ、本当に。Uso janai yo, hontou ni.I'm not lying, really.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとう、陽太くん。Arigatou, Youta-kun.Thank you, Youta.
