Chinese word

真相

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhēn xiàng

Meaning

  • nountruth

Example

谁知道事情的真相？shuí zhī dào shì qíng de zhēn xiàng

Who knows the truth about the matter?

Illustration for 真相 (truth)

More examples

记者努力工作，终于揭开了真相。jì zhě nǔ lì gōng zuò zhōng yú jiē kāi le zhēn xiàng

The reporter worked hard and finally uncovered the truth.

Core concept

What remains true when appearances, rumors, or public explanations are tested.

Common phrases

  • 揭开真相jiē kāi zhēn xiàng

    uncover the truth

  • 查明真相chá míng zhēn xiàng

    ascertain the truth

  • 弄清真相nòng qīng zhēn xiàng

    clarify the truth

Similar words

事实shì shí: Something that really happened or is known to be true through checking.
实情shí qíng: The genuine circumstances and actual state of affairs hidden from view.

Definition in Chinese

隐藏的事实或事情的实际情况，通常用于指出与表面说法不同的真实内容。yǐn cáng de shì shí huò shì qíng de shí jì qíng kuàng tōng cháng yòng yú zhǐ chū yǔ biǎo miàn shuō fǎ bù tóng de zhēn shí nèi róng

Word origin

真相 (zhēnxiàng, "truth") is formed from 真 (zhēn, "true") + 相 (xiàng, "appearance"), so its structure points to a situation as it truly is rather than as it first looks.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often use broad words for honesty or correctness, but this noun usually points to the evidence-based reality behind a disputed event or account.

Other meanings

  • factsnoun
  • actual situationnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 真相大白zhēn xiàng dà báithe truth comes to lightidiom

Word lists with this word