नहीं सच में
No, really
Littéralement: No, in truth
Use this phrase to prove you are being sincere when someone might think you're just being polite.
En 15 secondes
- Used to emphasize sincerity and dispel any doubt or skepticism.
- Works perfectly for compliments, surprises, and confirming facts.
- A neutral phrase suitable for friends, family, and colleagues.
Signification
This is how you double-down on a statement when someone looks surprised or skeptical. It is the perfect way to say 'I'm not joking' or 'I really mean it'.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Complimenting a friend's cooking
खाना बहुत अच्छा है, नहीं सच में!
The food is very good, no really!
Reacting to shocking news
नहीं सच में? वह कल जा रहा है?
No, really? He is leaving tomorrow?
Praising a colleague's presentation
आपका प्रेजेंटेशन बहुत बढ़िया था, नहीं सच में।
Your presentation was excellent, no really.
Contexte culturel
In South Asian social dynamics, 'Atithi Devo Bhava' (the guest is god) often leads to very high levels of politeness. This phrase is used to signal that a compliment or statement isn't just 'social politeness' but a genuine personal opinion. It helps navigate the 'politeness filter' common in Indian conversations.
The 'Nod' Factor
When saying this, give a small, firm head nod. It doubles the 'truth' value of your words in Indian culture.
Don't over-emphasize the 'No'
Keep the 'Nahin' short. If you drag it out too much, it might sound like you are actually disagreeing with the person.
En 15 secondes
- Used to emphasize sincerity and dispel any doubt or skepticism.
- Works perfectly for compliments, surprises, and confirming facts.
- A neutral phrase suitable for friends, family, and colleagues.
What It Means
नहीं सच में is your go-to phrase for adding emphasis and sincerity. It starts with a 'no' to clear away any doubt. Then it adds 'in truth' to anchor your statement. It is like saying 'No, for real though' in English. Use it when your friend thinks you are pulling their leg. Use it when a compliment sounds too good to be true.
How To Use It
You can place this phrase at the start or end of a sentence. If someone says 'Are you serious?', you just reply नहीं सच में. It acts as a verbal highlighter. It makes the rest of your sentence feel honest and heartfelt. It is very versatile. You do not need complex grammar to make it work. Just say it with a slight nod for extra effect.
When To Use It
Use it when you are genuinely impressed by something. It works great at a restaurant when the food is surprisingly good. Use it when texting to show you are being sincere. It is perfect for professional settings when you want to praise a colleague's hard work. If you are sharing a crazy story, this phrase keeps your audience believing you. It bridges the gap between a casual comment and a serious claim.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using it if you are actually lying. People will catch on quickly! Do not use it in very stiff, legal, or highly academic writing. It is a bit too conversational for a court of law. Also, do not overuse it in every single sentence. If everything is 'really' true, then nothing feels special. It loses its punch if you say it every five minutes. Save it for the moments that actually deserve that extra layer of truth.
Cultural Background
Indian culture values warmth and genuine connection. We often use repetition or emphasis to show we are not just being polite. Sometimes, 'polite' talk can feel like a formality. By saying नहीं सच में, you are breaking through that formality. You are telling the person, 'I am speaking from the heart, not just the script.' It is a very 'human' expression that builds trust quickly.
Common Variations
You might hear people say सचमुच (Sach-much) which is a single word for 'really'. Some might just say सच में without the नहीं. In Mumbai, you might hear कसम से (Kasam se) which means 'I swear'. But नहीं सच में remains the most balanced and common version. It is friendly, clear, and works everywhere from Delhi to London.
Notes d'usage
This phrase is incredibly safe. It sits right in the middle of the formality scale. The only 'gotcha' is to ensure your facial expression matches your words—sincerity is key!
The 'Nod' Factor
When saying this, give a small, firm head nod. It doubles the 'truth' value of your words in Indian culture.
Don't over-emphasize the 'No'
Keep the 'Nahin' short. If you drag it out too much, it might sound like you are actually disagreeing with the person.
The Politeness Barrier
In India, people often decline food or gifts twice out of habit. Use 'नहीं सच में' to tell them you actually want it (or actually don't!).
Exemples
6खाना बहुत अच्छा है, नहीं सच में!
The food is very good, no really!
Used here to show the compliment isn't just out of politeness.
नहीं सच में? वह कल जा रहा है?
No, really? He is leaving tomorrow?
Used as a question to express disbelief.
आपका प्रेजेंटेशन बहुत बढ़िया था, नहीं सच में।
Your presentation was excellent, no really.
Adds a layer of professional sincerity to a compliment.
फिल्म बहुत डरावनी थी, नहीं सच में।
The movie was very scary, no really.
Used to emphasize a personal experience.
नहीं सच में? और फिर क्या हुआ?
No, really? And then what happened?
Can be used slightly sarcastically if the story sounds impossible.
आपकी मदद के लिए शुक्रिया, नहीं सच में।
Thank you for your help, no really.
Makes a standard 'thank you' feel much more meaningful.
Teste-toi
Choose the best phrase to show you are being sincere about a gift.
यह तोहफा बहुत सुंदर है, ___!
Using 'नहीं सच में' confirms that you truly find the gift beautiful and aren't just being nice.
How would you ask 'For real?' when a friend tells you they won the lottery?
___? क्या तुम मज़ाक कर रहे हो?
In this context, it translates to 'For real?' or 'Really?' to express shock.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality Spectrum of 'Sincerity'
Used with close friends/slang
कसम से (Kasam se)
Safe for almost any situation
नहीं सच में (Nahin sach mein)
Used in official speeches
वास्तव में (Vaastav mein)
When to use 'नहीं सच में'
Eating great food
This is delicious!
Hearing gossip
Wait, did that happen?
Giving a compliment
You look great today.
Confirming a plan
I will definitely be there.
Questions fréquentes
11 questionsNot exactly. In this context, नहीं acts as a filler that dismisses any potential doubt. It is like saying 'No [doubt about it], really'.
Yes, सच में also means 'really'. Adding the नहीं at the start just makes it sound more conversational and emphatic.
Yes, it is perfectly neutral. You can use it to sincerely thank your boss or agree with a point they made.
Just change your intonation! Say नहीं सच में? with a rising pitch at the end to mean 'Oh, for real?'.
सचमुच is a bit more formal/literary. नहीं सच में is what people actually say in daily life.
Absolutely. It is very common in WhatsApp chats to show you aren't just using emojis but actually mean what you wrote.
Younger people might use सीरियसली (Seriously) or कसम से (Kasam se), but नहीं सच में is safe for everyone.
Yes! You can say नहीं सच में, मुझे यह पसंद नहीं आया to mean 'No really, I actually didn't like it'.
Put the emphasis on सच (Sach). That is the core of the phrase.
It is completely gender-neutral. Everyone uses it regardless of age or gender.
Yes, for example: नहीं सच में, तुम बहुत अच्छे लग रहे हो (No really, you are looking very good).
Expressions liées
सच में?
Really? / Is it true?
बिल्कुल
Absolutely / Exactly
सचमुच
Truly / Literally
पक्का?
Are you sure? / For sure?
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