Meaning of 实在
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- really
- actually
- indeed
- true
- real
- honest
- dependable
- (philosophy) reality
How to use 实在
As an adverb, 实在 comes before a verb or adjective to stress feeling, often a strong or apologetic one: 实在太累了 means really too tired. As an adjective it describes a person or thing as honest and down to earth, as in 他很实在 (tā hěn shízài), he is very honest and genuine. Example: 我实在不知道。(Wǒ shízài bù zhīdào.) I really don't know.
实 (shí) means solid or real, and 在 (zài) means to be present or exist. Something that is solidly there is real, so 实在 means really or truly.
Common mistake: Learners mix up 实在 with 现在 (xiànzài) because both end in 在, but 现在 means now and has nothing to do with really. Also keep 实 in the second tone, shí, and do not read it like 是 (shì).
实在 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.
实 shí · real · 8 strokes
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- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
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- 8
在 zài · to exist · 6 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 实在.
| 现在 | xiànzài | now; at present; currently |
| 正在 | zhèngzài | to be in the process of (doing sth); to be currently ...-ing |
| 在家 | zàijiā | to be at home; (at a workplace) to be in (as opposed to being away on official business 出差 |
| 实现 | shíxiàn | to achieve; to implement; to realize; to bring about |
| 实际 | shíjì | reality; practice |
| 实习 | shíxí | to practice; field work |
| 其实 | qíshí | actually; in fact; really |
| 存在 | cúnzài | to exist; to be |
| 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 |
Questions about 实在
What does 实在 mean?
实在 (shízài) means "really; actually" and is used as a adverb and adjective.
How do you write 实在?
实在 is made of 2 characters: 实 (8 strokes), 在 (6 strokes). That is 14 strokes in total.
Is 实在 an HSK word?
Yes. 实在 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 实在 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 实在 is written 實在.
What is the difference between 实在 and 真的?
真的 (zhēn de) is the everyday way to say really and can stand alone as a question, as in 真的吗? 实在 is used before a verb or adjective to stress a feeling, often helplessness or apology, as in 实在对不起, I am truly sorry.
Does 实在 change meaning when said as shízai with a neutral tone?
In spoken Mandarin, especially in the north, the adjective meaning honest or solid is often said shízai with a light second syllable, as in 这人挺实在. The adverb meaning really usually keeps the full shízài.