Chinese phrases
How to say really in Chinese
Really in Chinese is 真的吗 (zhēn de ma) when something surprises you. For a lighter “oh, really?”, say 是吗 (shì ma).
真的吗
really?
Ways to say really
真的吗
Everydayreally?
The usual reaction to news that surprises you, good or bad. 真的? without 吗 works too.
是吗
Everydayoh, really?; is that so?
Lighter. Often it only shows that you are listening. Said slowly, it can mean “I’m not so sure.”
真的假的
With friendsfor real?
Literally “true or false?” Strong surprise, with friends and in chats.
不会吧
With friendsno way; you’re kidding
For news you don’t want to believe: 不会吧，又加班?, “no way, overtime again?”
真的
Everydayreally; honestly
As an answer, to say that you mean it: 真的，我没骗你, “really, I’m not lying to you.”
真
Everydayreally; so
Before an adjective: 今天真冷, “it’s really cold today.”
Common mistakes
Asking 真? on its own
真 alone is not a question. Ask 真的? or 真的吗?
Hearing 不会吧 as “can’t”
In 不会吧, 不会 means “surely not,” not a skill you lack. It shows surprise or disbelief.
Saying 真的假的 to your boss
It is casual and can sound as if you doubt the person. With a boss or an older person, say 是吗 or 真的吗.
Big news
我下个月去北京工作。
Qiqi: I’m going to work in Beijing next month.
真的吗？
Leon: Really?
真的，昨天刚定下来。
Qiqi: Really. It was settled just yesterday.
太好了，恭喜你！
Leon: That’s great, congratulations!
