Korean word

실은

Pronunciation

Romanizationsireun

Meaning

  • adverbactually

Example

실은 지금은 시간이 없어.si reun chi geu meun si ga ni eop sseo

Actually, I don't have time right now.

Illustration for 실은 (actually)

More examples

실은 말인데, 다음 주에 시간이 있어?si reun ma rin de ta eum chu e si ga ni i sseo

Actually, do you have time next week?

Core concept

A small conversational turn that brings the real situation into focus.

Common phrases

  • 실은 말인데si reun ma rin de

    actually, about that

  • 실은 지금si reun chi geum

    actually, now

Similar words

사실은sasireun: A gentle way to introduce a fact or clarify what is true.
사실sasil: A confirmed detail about what happened or what is real.
솔직히soljiki: An open way to express a personal opinion or feeling without hiding it.
실제로siljero: A way to point to real conditions or results rather than appearances or expectations.

Definition in Korean

사실을 부드럽게 꺼내거나 상대의 오해를 바로잡을 때 쓰는 부사sa si reul pu deu reop kke kkeo nae geo na sang dae ui o hae reul pa ro ja beul ttae sseu neun pu sa

Word origin

The expression grew from a topic phrase that presents the facts as the subject, which later became a fixed adverb.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may hear it as a strong contradiction, but its tone is often tactful rather than confrontational.

Opposites

  • 겉으로는keoteuroneunon the surfaceadverb

Related words

Word lists with this word