Chinese word

现实

Pronunciation

Pinyinxiàn shí

Meaning

  • nounreality

Example

我们要面对现实。wǒ men yào miàn duì xiàn shí

We must face reality.

Illustration for 现实 (reality)

More examples

他的画反映了现实生活。tā de huà fǎn yìng le xiàn shí shēng huó

His painting reflects real life.

Core concept

The facts and conditions that exist now, whether or not they match a person's hopes or beliefs.

Common phrases

  • 面对现实miàn duì xiàn shí

    face reality

  • 接受现实jiē shòu xiàn shí

    accept reality

  • 改变现实gǎi biàn xiàn shí

    change reality

Similar words

情况qíng kuàng: The state of affairs in a particular place or at a particular time.
事实shì shí: Something that has actually happened and can be confirmed through evidence or observation.

Definition in Chinese

当下可观测或可验证的事实和处境，即当前存在的不以主观想法为转移的现实情况。dāng xià kě guān cè huò kě yàn zhèng de shì shí hé chǔ jìng jí dāng qián cún zài de bù yǐ zhǔ guān xiáng fǎ wèi zhuǎn yí de xiàn shí qíng kuàng

Word origin

现实 (xiànshí, "reality") is formed from 现 (xiàn, "appear now") + 实 (shí, "real or solid"), linking what is present with what actually exists.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, this noun is especially useful when discussing practical limits on plans, such as available money, time, or opportunities.

Other meanings

  • realisticadjective

Related words

  • 现实生活xiàn shí shēng huóreal lifenoun
  • 现实世界xiàn shí shì jièreal worldnoun

Word lists with this word