实在

shí zài

HSK 2.0 Level 4 HSK 3.0 Level 4 Adjective Very common

Definitions

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

Word relationships

Related words

1 item

• 老实 lǎo shí 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.: honest

Synonyms

2 items

• 的确 dí què 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.: really
• 确实 què shí 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'.: indeed

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 在 zài: to exist; to be alive
• 实 实 shí: real