TOPIK · Level 292
15 words
Korean word
실
Pronunciation
Romanizationsil
Meaning
- adverbactually
Example
실은 말하기 어려워요.si reun mal ha gi eo ryeo wo yo
Actually, it's hard to say.
More examples
실은 지금 너무 바빠서 못 가요.si reun chi geum neo mu pa ppa seo mot ka yo
Actually, I am too busy to go right now.
Core concept
Signals that the speaker is about to reveal a truth, hidden information, or a sincere feeling.
Common phrases
실은 지금si reun chi geum
actually, now
실은 조금si reun cho geum
actually, a little
Similar words
사실은sasireun: Used at the start of a relatively formal, neutral statement that explains the facts or truth.
솔직히soljiki: Used to state a candid feeling or opinion without hiding it.
Definition in Korean
실은 상대에게 숨기고 있던 정보나 솔직한 마음을 털어놓을 때 문장 맨앞에 쓰이는 부사로, 뒤에 오는 내용을 청취자에게 강조한다.si reun sang dae e ge sum gi go it tteon cheong bo na sol ji kan ma eu meul teo reo no eul ttae mun jang mae na pe sseu i neun pu sa ro twi e o neun nae yong eul cheong chwi ja e ge kang jo han da
Word origin
It combines the Sino-Korean element meaning true or real with the topic marker, giving the sense of as for the truth.
Usage tips
- English actually often corrects or strengthens a statement, while this word commonly opens a sentence that brings out something the speaker had not said before.