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“really” (Kansai) · Osaka and Kansai Japanese
本当ですか→ほんと?→ほんま?

Kansai dialect for 本当. ほんまに = “really”, ほんま? = “for real?”.

Use it withFriends OKCoworkers carefulBoss / teacher avoid

Kansai for ほんとう. Casual.

144 lines with ほんま from 38 comedians in the library · Counts updated 2026-10-07
Audience laughter in this scene0:14
Pentamaru · The Courier

A courier turns to someone named Kenji and asks Kenji to carry a load for them.

The words appear when the audience laughs.

For real?

Textbook本当ですか。Kansai 「ほんま」 replaces standard 「本当(ほんとう)」. 「ほんまに?」 is 「本当に?」 said with rising pitch and no 「ですか」 — casual.

Speed: normal
All lines
Audience laughter in this scene0:11
Mind Steal · Blood Types

One performer asks the other for their opinion on something they have both heard about.

The words appear when the audience laughs.

Oh, really?

Textbookあっ、本当ですか。Kansai "ほんま" replaces standard "本当"; "ほんまに?" (= "本当に?") drops "ですか" and works as a quick "Really?" reaction.

Speed: fast
All lines
Audience laughter in this scene0:18
Meirin · Studying for the Driving Test

Studying for the written driving test, one says a yellow light means you can go, and the other reads the rule.

The words appear when the audience laughs.

Oh, you're right, it says "stop."

Textbookあ、本当ですね。止まれと書いてあります。"ほんま" is Kansai for "本当"; "ほんまや" equals standard "本当だ", with Kansai copula "や" replacing "だ".

Speed: fast
Watch the whole routine →
All lines
Audience laughter in this scene0:11
Mind Steal · I Want to Be a Radio Host

One person says they work as a radio assistant, and the other suggests they act out a radio show right now.

The words appear when the audience laughs.

For real?

Textbook本当ですか。Kansai 「ほんま」 replaces standard 「本当(ほんとう)」; 「ほんまに?」 with rising pitch is casual 'For real?', with no 「ですか」.

Speed: fast
All lines
Audience laughter in this scene0:19
Naniwa Puratchikku · Aren't You Doing Rakugo?

One performer insists his partner took off his jacket exactly like a rakugo storyteller slipping off a kimono jacket.

Culture note Rakugo storytellers traditionally take off their haori jacket when they move from the opening chat into the main story.

The words appear when the audience laughs.

Really?

Textbook本当ですか。Kansai "ほんま" is "本当", so "ほんまに" = "本当に". Said alone with rising intonation it means "Really?", with no "ですか".

Speed: fast
All lines
Audience laughter in this scene0:15
Machiura Pink · A Pro Bowler's Practice

The comedian describes a so-called pro bowler who bowls weakly, like a timid beginner, and starts telling what happened next.

The words appear when the audience laughs.

I swear, this is true. The floor...

Textbookこれは本当ですよ。床を……Kansai 「ほんま」 replaces standard 「本当(ほんとう)」; 「ほんまですよ」 keeps the polite 「です」: 'I swear, it's true.'

Speed: fast
All lines

More lines with ほんま

From other routines in the library. Automatic transcripts, not yet checked line by line.

Quick answers

What does ほんま mean?

ほんま means “really” (Kansai). Kansai dialect for 本当. ほんまに = “really”, ほんま? = “for real?”.

Is ほんま rude? Who can you say it to?

With friends: OK. With coworkers: careful. With a boss or teacher: avoid. Kansai for ほんとう. Casual.

How common is ほんま in real speech?

In 1,905 live comedy routines, ほんま appears in 144 lines from 38 comedians.

Osaka and Kansai Japanese