Japanese word

実際

Pronunciation

Romajijissai

Meaning

  • nounactually

Example

実際は簡単です。jis sai wa kan tan de su

Actually, it is easy.

Illustration for 実際 (actually)

More examples

実際に使ってみると、この道具の便利さが分かります。jis sai ni tsuka tte mi ru to ko no dō gu no ben ri sa ga wa ka ri ma su

Once you actually use this tool, you will see how useful it is.

Core concept

It points to what is true in the real situation, often bringing facts into contrast with appearance or expectation.

Common phrases

  • 実際はjis sai wa

    actually

  • 実際にjis sai ni

    actually

  • 実際のところjis sai no to ko ro

    in reality

Similar words

現実genjitsu: The state of things as they truly are in the world.
事実jijitsu: Something that is true and can be checked against evidence.

Definition in Japanese

現実にそうであることや、事実としてのありさま。gen jitsu ni sō de a ru ko to ya ji jitsu to shi te no a ri sa ma

Word origin

実際 (jissai) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 実 (jitsu, "real") and 際 (sai, "circumstance or point"), so it names the real circumstances of a matter.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, 実際 (jissai) often appears at the start of a sentence to correct an assumption, much like "actually" or "in fact".

Other meanings

  • realitynoun
  • factnoun

Opposites

  • 虚構kyokōfictionnoun

Related words

  • 実際的jissaitekipracticalna-adjective

Word lists with this word