are you kidding
Is that real?
Are you kidding is an expression of disbelief or incredulity, questioning whether someone is serious: Are you kidding? That's the best news I've heard all year.
It can respond to something surprisingly good or bad.
The tone ranges from genuine shock to rhetorical emphasis—sometimes the speaker already knows the answer.
Often shortened to You kidding? or intensified to Are you kidding me?
- seriouslyWith sincere intent
- jokingSaying things in fun
- no wayEmphatic denial
- unbelievableImpossible to accept as true
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
for real though · you must be joking · shocked · stunned · incredulous · come on · get out · get outta here · impossible · surprised · hold up · doubtful · skeptical · what · excuse me · pulling my leg · pranking · teasing
emotional register
are you kiddingof course
Expression of obvious agreement
as expected · okay · obviously · I see · fair enough