Meaning of 其实
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- actually; in fact; really
How to use 其实
其实 introduces the true situation, often one that corrects or contrasts with what someone expected or what seemed to be true. It usually sits at the start of a sentence or right before the verb. Example: 他看起来很严肃，其实人很好。(Tā kàn qǐlái hěn yánsù, qíshí rén hěn hǎo.) He looks serious, but actually he is very nice.
其 (qí) means "its" or "that" and 实 (shí) means "real" or "solid", as in 实在 (shízài). So 其实 is "its reality": what is really going on underneath.
Common mistake: Learners often use 其实 just to mean "very" or "truly", like English "really good". For that meaning use 真 (zhēn) or 实在 (shízài). 其实 should signal "the truth is different from what you might think".
其实 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
其 qí · his · 8 strokes
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实 shí · real · 8 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 其实.
| 其他 | qítā | other; (sth or sb) else |
| 其中 | qízhōng | among; in |
| 实在 | shízài | really; actually |
| 实现 | shíxiàn | to achieve; to implement; to realize; to bring about |
| 实际 | shíjì | reality; practice |
| 实习 | shíxí | to practice; field work |
| 确实 | quèshí | indeed; really |
| 事实 | shìshí | fact |
| 事实上 | shìshíshang | in fact; in reality |
| 实际上 | shíjìshàng | in fact; in reality |
| 真实 | zhēnshí | true; real |
| 现实 | xiànshí | reality; actuality; real; actual |
Questions about 其实
What does 其实 mean?
其实 (qíshí) means "actually; in fact; really" and is used as a adverb.
How do you write 其实?
其实 is made of 2 characters: 其 (8 strokes), 实 (8 strokes). That is 16 strokes in total.
Is 其实 an HSK word?
Yes. 其实 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 其实 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 其实 is written 其實.
What is the difference between 其实 and 实际上?
Both can mean "in fact". 实际上 (shíjì shang) sounds a little more formal and is common in writing. 其实 is very natural in everyday speech and often carries a softer, slightly confessional tone.
Can 其实 go after the subject?
Yes. Both 其实我不想去 and 我其实不想去 are correct and mean "Actually, I don't want to go." Putting it first gives a bit more emphasis to the contrast.