まさに

• Reading: まさに
• Romaji: masani
• Kanji breakdown: 正 (masa/sei) — correct, right, just
• Pronunciation: /ma.sa.ni/

Meaning

Exactly; precisely; truly. Emphasises that something is exactly as described.

An adverb used for strong emphasis or confirmation. Common patterns: まさにその通り (exactly right), まさに今 (right now, at this very moment), まさに～しようとしている (just about to ~). Can be written as 正に in formal writing, but the hiragana form is far more common. Stronger than ちょうど (just/exactly), adding rhetorical weight.

Examples

1. これはまさに私が探していたものだ。 This is exactly what I was looking for.
2. まさに出かけようとしたとき電話が鳴った。 Just as I was about to leave, the phone rang.
3. 彼の言葉はまさにその通りだった。 His words were spot on.

Usage Guide

Context: emphasis, agreement, narration

Tone: emphatic

Origin & History

From the adjective stem 正 (masa, correct/right) plus the adverbial particle に. The kanji 正 depicts a foot approaching a line, symbolising accuracy and correctness.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal