Chinese word

实在

Pronunciation

Pinyinshí zài

Meaning

  • adverbreally

Example

这道题实在太难了。zhè dào tí shí zài tài nán le

This problem is really too difficult.

Illustration for 实在 (really)

More examples

说实在的，我没有时间去参加。shuō shí zài de wǒ méi yǒu shí jiān qù cān jiā

To be honest, I do not have time to join.

Core concept

Marks something as solidly real, making a degree sound extreme and a judgment sound candid.

Common phrases

  • 说实在的shuō shí zài de

    to be honest

  • 实在是shí zài shì

    really

  • 实在太shí zài tài

    really too

Similar words

真zhēn: Firmly confirms a fact in a brief way.
真的zhēn de: Emphasizes the speaker's sincere belief or feeling that something is true.

Definition in Chinese

表示程度极强或对事实的确凿肯定的副词，既可用来强调程度，也可表示坦率评价。biǎo shì chéng dù jí qiáng huò duì shì shí dí què záo kěn dìng de fù cí jì kě yòng lái qiáng diào chéng dù yě kě biǎo shì tǎn shuài píng jià

Word origin

实 (shí, "real") + 在 (zài, "present") forms the idea of something truly present, which extends to strong emphasis and a speaker's candid judgment.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may use really as a loose reaction word, but this Chinese adverb often gives a statement a clear sense of strong degree or sincere judgment.

Other meanings

  • indeedadverb
  • honestadjective

Word lists with this word