Meaning of 确实
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- indeed
- really
- reliable
- real
- true
How to use 确实
As an adverb, 确实 goes before the verb or adjective to confirm that something is really so, often agreeing with what someone just said. As an adjective, it describes information as reliable or true, as in 确实的消息 (quèshí de xiāoxi) reliable news. Example: 这个菜确实很好吃。(Zhège cài quèshí hěn hǎochī.) This dish really is delicious.
确 (què) means firm or certain, as in 正确 (zhèngquè) correct, and 实 (shí) means solid or real, as in 实际 (shíjì) reality. Put them together: something firmly real is "indeed" true.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 确实 and 实在 (shízài). 确实 confirms a fact is true, while 实在 often stresses degree or a strong feeling, as in 实在太累了 (I'm just too tired). Also note that 确 is fourth tone (què), not third tone like 雀 (què) is sometimes misread.
确实 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.
确 què · certain · 12 strokes
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实 shí · real · 8 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 确实.
| 正确 | zhèngquè | correct; sound; right; proper |
| 实在 | shízài | really; actually |
| 实现 | shíxiàn | to achieve; to implement; to realize; to bring about |
| 准确 | zhǔnquè | accurate; exact; precise |
| 实际 | shíjì | reality; practice |
| 实习 | shíxí | to practice; field work |
| 确定 | quèdìng | definite; certain |
| 其实 | qíshí | actually; in fact; 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 |
Questions about 确实
What does 确实 mean?
确实 (quèshí) means "indeed; really" and is used as a adjective and adverb.
How do you write 确实?
确实 is made of 2 characters: 确 (12 strokes), 实 (8 strokes). That is 20 strokes in total.
Is 确实 an HSK word?
Yes. 确实 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 确实 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 确实 is written 確實.
Can 确实 be used alone as a reply?
Yes. Saying 确实 or 确实是 on its own is a common way to agree, like saying "true" or "that's right" in English. It sounds natural in casual conversation.
What is the difference between 确实 and 真的 (zhēn de)?
Both can mean "really", but 确实 sounds a bit more measured and is often used to confirm or agree after thinking. 真的 is more casual and can also be used as a question, 真的吗? (Really?), which 确实 cannot.