HSK · Level 2
130 words
Chinese word
说真的
Pronunciation
Pinyinshuō zhēn de
Meaning
- adverbhonestly
Example
说真的，我不想去了。shuō zhēn de wǒ bù xiǎng qù le
Honestly, I don't want to go.
More examples
说真的，我觉得这次他能做到。shuō zhēn de wǒ jué de zhè cì tā néng zuò dào
To be honest, I think he can do it this time.
Core concept
A spoken marker that frames the next statement as a candid and weighty view.
Common phrases
说真的，我觉得shuō zhēn de wǒ jué de
to be honest, I think
说真的吧shuō zhēn de ba
to be honest
Similar words
说实话shuō shí huà: Introduces an honest statement of facts or true feelings without hiding them.
老实说lǎo shí shuō: Introduces a frank, straightforward personal opinion in casual speech.
坦白说tǎn bái shuō: Introduces an openly stated inner thought in a somewhat direct manner.
Definition in Chinese
表示说话者以诚恳或直率态度陈述意见或感受的副词，常用于口语以引出个人看法或强调出乎意料的信息。biǎo shì shuō huà zhě yǐ chéng kěn huò zhí shuài tài dù chén shù yì jiàn huò gǎn shòu de fù cí cháng yòng yú kóu yǔ yǐ yǐn chū gè rén kàn fǎ huò qiáng diào chū hū yì liào de xìn xī
Word origin
The conversational phrase 说真的 (shuōzhēnde, "honestly") combines the idea of speaking with the idea of truth, forming an opener that presents the following words as sincere.
Usage tips
- Native English speakers may expect a conversational challenge or expression of disbelief, but this opener commonly leads into a sincere statement instead.
Other meanings
- reallyadverb
- seriouslyadverb