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#90

“Majide?” and Other Casual Ways to Say “Really?” in Japanese

by Zaj Banzon

Looking for a Japanese word to say when you and your friends are spilling tea? I’ve got just the one for you.

When you're chatting with Japanese friends or coworkers, you’ll hear all kinds of reactions. But one word shows up again and again : “Majide?”

It means “Really?”—but there’s a lot more to it.

Here’s how to use it, where it comes from, how not to overuse it, and what other fun phrases you can try when you’re surprised, excited, or just playing around.

What Does “Majide?” Mean?

“Majide” (マジで？) is short for majime ni or maji na hanashi, meaning “seriously” or “for real.”

It’s basically the Japanese version of :

“Really?”
“Are you serious?”
“No way!”

You’ll usually hear it when :

Someone shares unexpected news :

　“I’m quitting my job.”

　→ “Majide!?”

You tell a funny story :

　“He ate natto on pizza.”

　→ “Ehhh, majide??”

You hear something interesting :

　“They did…and then….”

　→ “Eh, sore maji??”

It’s casual and fun—great with friends, but don’t use it with your boss or in formal situations.

The Origins of “Maji”

Where did this word come from?

Actually, “maji” comes from the word 真面目 (majime), meaning “serious.” It started as backstage slang among entertainers during the Edo period, used to mean something like “really” or “honestly.”

Then, in the 1980s, it made a comeback as a popular youth slang—and it’s stuck around ever since.

These days, “maji” is everywhere. It can be an exclamation, an adverb, or even part of a complaint. Some kids even make it shorter by just saying: 「ま？（Ma?）」—kind of like a one-syllable “Seriously?”

「マジで難しかった。」

　(That was seriously hard.)

「え、マジで？」

　(Really? Is that true?)

「このお店、マジで美味しい！」

　(This place is actually delicious!)

Other Ways to Say “Really?” in Japanese

If you want to mix things up, here are a few other fun ways to show surprise or disbelief :

Ehhhhh?!（えええ〜！？）

A dramatic gasp. Very common. Use it when something’s shocking, weird, or unexpected.

Hontou ni?（本当に？）

A more polite version of “really?” Good for slightly more formal situations or with people you don’t know well.

Uso!（うそ！）

Literally means “Lie!” but it’s more like “No way!” or “You’re kidding!” Super common in casual convos.

Maji ka...（マジか〜）

A softer, almost tired-sounding version of majide. Often used when something’s surprising but also kind of disappointing.

Quick Tip : How NOT to Use “Majide?”

Don’t say it in job interviews, formal meetings, or customer service situations.
Don’t overuse it in every sentence—it can start to sound childish or overly dramatic.
Save it for casual conversations, and it’ll come across as natural and expressive.

“Majide?” is one of those fun, flexible phrases that helps you sound more like a native speaker. It shows that you’re present, engaged, and reacting naturally.

So next time something surprises you, try saying : “Majide!?”

You might just get a smile—or even a “Majide?” right back.

Reference : マジ、ビビる、ムカつくは最近の若者言葉と思いきや、じつは古くから使われてきた言葉だった！？

Posted : 28 July 2025