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About
Here are a few useful ways to express astonishment or incredulity about something difficult to imagine or comprehend. They are all useful for Japanese conversation. Mix them up to give your conversational skills an upgrade.
The List
The following list of phrases and variations are all used in conversation when showing surprise or astonishment.
うそ！
[casual] you’re joking! I can’t believe it [literally, “lie!”]
ほんとう？, ほんとうに？ or ほんとに？
[casual] really? are you serious? [literally, “true”]
まじで
[casual] seriously? for real? [literally, “with seriousness”; informal]
やばい！
[casual] not good; it’s bad; oh no!; wow!; amazing!; that’s sick (in a good way) [literally, “dangerous” or “terrible” but today it can also be used to mean, “terrific” or “amazing”; when showing astonishment, it can have both positive and negative connotations: you don’t say! really?! That’s horrible! That’s great!; informal]
信じられない
I can’t believe it; unbelievable; incredible [literally, “Unable to believe”]
信じられないほど
an unbelievable amount; unbelievably; to an incredible extent [literally, “to the extent of unbelievability”]
想像もつかない
unimaginable; beyond one's imagination [literally, “imagination can’t stick”]
想像できない
unimaginable; beyond one's imagination [literally, “can’t imagine”]
想像を絶する
beyond imagination or unimaginable [literally, “imagination cut off”]
想像を遥かに超える
far beyond imagination [literally, “surpasses far beyond imagination”]
想像が及ばない
beyond one's wildest imagination [literally, “imagination can’t reach”]
想定外
beyond expectations; unexpected [literally, “outside assumption”]
予想外
unexpected; unforeseen [literally, “outside estimation”]
不可思議
mysterious; inexplicable; baffling; perplexing [literally, “not possible conjecture”]
予想もできない
unpredictable or unimaginable [literally, “can’t even predict”]
言葉にできない
indescribable or inexpressible [literally, “can’t (express) in words”]
Explanation and Example Sentences
This page has example sentences with complete vocabulary breakdowns for about half of the above words. If you would like more example sentences, please become a Makoto+ member (Samurai or Shogun) and you can instantly download a PDF with more example sentences plus all the sound files. Click here for this Makoto+ member exclusive bonus.
うそ！
[casual] you’re joking! I can’t believe it [literally, “lie!”]
うそ！そのニュース本当に驚きだね。
Are you serious?! That news is really surprising.
Vocabulary
えっ、彼女と別れた？うそでしょ！
Wait, you broke up with your girlfriend? Are you serious?!
Vocabulary
ほんとう？ or ほんとうに？
[casual] really? are you series? [literally, “true”]
ほんとう？君がプロジェクトリーダーに選ばれたの？
Really? You were chosen as the project leader?
Vocabulary
このケーキは彼が作ったんだって？ほんとう？
He made this cake? Really?
Vocabulary
まじで
[casual] seriously? for real? [literally, “with seriousness”; informal]
彼女がまじで有名人とデートしてるって？
She's really dating a celebrity? Seriously?
Vocabulary
まじで、このアプリは無料で使えるの？
For real, this app can be used for free?
Vocabulary
やばい！
[casual] not good; it’s bad; oh no! wow! amazing! that’s sick (in a good way) [literally, “dangerous” or “terrible” but today it can also be used to mean, “terrific” or “amazing”; when showing astonishment, it can have both positive and negative connotations: you don’t say! really?! That’s horrible! That’s great!; informal]
Good meaning:
やばい、このラーメンは本当に美味しい！
Wow, this ramen is seriously delicious!
Vocabulary
Bad meaning:
やばい、会議に遅刻しそうだ！
Oh no, I'm going to be late for the meeting!
Vocabulary
信じられない
I can’t believe it; unbelievable; incredible [literally, “Unable to believe”; なんて (such a thing as) is often used for emphasis]
信じられない、彼が会社を辞めることになったなんて。
I can't believe he's quitting the company.
Vocabulary
信じられないほどの美しい景色だ。
The scenery is so beautiful, it's unbelievable.
Vocabulary
信じられないほど
an unbelievable amount; unbelievably; to an incredible extent [literally, “to the extent of unbelievability”]
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信じられないほどの大雪で、街中が真っ白になった。
There was such an incredible amount of snow that the entire town turned white.
Vocabulary
彼女の歌声は信じられないほど美しくて感動した。
Her singing voice was so unbelievably beautiful that it was very moving.
Vocabulary
想像もつかない
unimaginable; beyond one's imagination [literally, “imagination can’t stick”]
彼がそんなに速く走れるなんて、想像もつかなかった。
I never could have imagined that he could run so fast.
Vocabulary
この新型ロケットの性能は、想像もつかないほど高い。
The performance of this new rocket is unimaginably high.
Vocabulary
想像できない
unimaginable; beyond one's imagination [literally, “can’t imagine”]
この映画のストーリーは想像できないほど複雑だ。
The story of this movie is so complex that it's unimaginable.
Vocabulary
彼女の成長は想像できないほど速かった。
Her growth was so fast that I couldn't have imagined it.
Vocabulary
想像を絶する
beyond imagination or unimaginable [literally, “imagination cut off”]
想像を絶するほどの暑さで、外に出るのが困難だった。
The heat was so unbearable that it was difficult to go outside.
Vocabulary
この絶景は想像を絶するほど美しい。
This breathtaking view is so beautiful that it's beyond imagination.
Vocabulary
Want more?
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COMMENTS
■ The more you say these examples, the easier it will be to use these forms in conversation. Shadow and repeat after the sound files as much as possible.
■ If you are a Makoto+ member, please click here for a PDF with more examples and all the sound files for this lesson. Not a member? Click here to learn more about Makoto+, our magazine and membership site.
