How to say "literally" in Japanese

• 文字通りもじどおりCommon
  adverbThe default choice for 'literally' in the sense of 'actually, in the literal sense', as opposed to figuratively. It also covers 'to the letter', as in following instructions exactly.
  かわいそうにその犬いぬは文字もじ通とおりライオンに引き裂ひきさかれてしまった。↗

  The poor dog was literally torn apart by the lion.
• 読んで字のごとくよんでじのごとく
  expression, adverbCovers 'literally' in the sense 'self-explanatorily' — the meaning is evident just from reading the words. It is less common and suits set-phrase use rather than everyday 'literally'.
• 一字一句いちじいっく
  nounA yojijukugo meaning 'word for word; verbatim', so it fits 'literally' only when quoting or reproducing text exactly, not the 'actually, not figuratively' sense. It is less common.
• 言葉通りことばどおり
  adverb, no-adjectiveMeans 'as stated; verbatim', so it suits 'literally' when something is taken or rendered exactly as it was said. It is less common and a marginal choice for the plain 'actually' sense.
  虚心きょしん坦懐たんかいに申し上もうしあげる。今いまから言いうことは、言葉ことばどおりに受け取うけとってほしい。↗

  I'm going to speak to you with utmost candor so I want you to take everything I'm about to say at face value.

Use 「文字通り」 for the ordinary 'literally' sense; 「読んで字のごとく」 for 'as the words themselves make clear'; 一字一句 for word-for-word quoting; 「言葉通り」 for following what was said exactly.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 文字通りもじどおりliterally
• 読んで字のごとくよんでじのごとくliterally
• 一字一句いちじいっくword for word
• 言葉通りことばどおりas stated