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实在

shí zài
HSK 2.0 Level 4 HSK 3.0 Level 4 Adjective Very common

Definitions

  1. 1. really
  2. 2. actually
  3. 3. indeed
  4. 4. true
  5. 5. real
  6. 6. honest
  7. 7. dependable
  8. 8. (philosophy) reality

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Word relationships

Related words

1 item
老实
lǎo shí

honest

他是个实在人 means he is honest and dependable; 老实 also means honest but emphasizes simple-mindedness.

Synonyms

2 items
的确
dí què

really

实在抱歉 and 的确抱歉 are both used to sincerely apologize, though 实在 is more colloquial.
确实
què shí

indeed

他实在不知道 and 他确实不知道 both mean 'He really doesn't know'.

Usage notes

Collocations

Commonly used with apology verbs like 抱歉, 对不起: 实在抱歉 emphasizes sincerity.

Common mistakes

In positive statements, 实在 is often used with 是: 他实在是个好人, but don't use 是 when expressing degree with 太: 这实在太好了.

Example Sentences

2 shown
实在 抱歉，我迟到了。
I'm really sorry I'm late.
我 实在 不得已才这样做。
I really had no choice but to do it this way.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 实在

在
zài

to exist; to be alive

实
shí

real