当然, 其实 and 终于 for “Of Course,” “Actually” and “Finally”

Structure

当然 / 其实 / 终于 + verb phrase

These adverbs show how the speaker feels about the fact: 当然 = it’s obvious, 其实 = the truth is different, 终于 = at last.

我们等了一个小时，车终于来了。

When to use 当然, 其实 and 终于 for “Of Course,” “Actually” and “Finally”

当然, 其实 and 终于 are mood adverbs: they add the speaker’s feeling about a fact. 当然 (dāng rán) “of course” says the fact is obvious or expected: 当然可以. 其实 (qí shí) “actually” says the truth is different from what it looks like or what people think: 这个题看起来很难，其实很简单. 终于 (zhōng yú) “finally” says something happens at last, after waiting or effort, and it usually comes with 了: 车终于来了. Put them before the verb, or 当然 and 其实 can start the sentence.

这个题看起来很难，其实很简单。

Cette question a l’air difficile, mais en fait elle est facile.

大家都以为他不来了，其实他早就到了。

Everyone thought he wasn’t coming, but in fact he had arrived long ago.

他在中国住了十年，当然会说中文。

He lived in China for ten years, so of course he speaks Chinese.

我说我不累，其实我很想休息。

I said I wasn’t tired, but actually I really wanted a rest.

Pièges courants

终于 needs a wait or an effort before it; do not use it for the last step of a plan, use 最后.
其实 brings in a contrast with how things looked; it is not just “really” or “very.”
Put these adverbs before the verb: 终于来了, not 来了终于.

Exercice ciblé

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他在中国住了十年，会说中文

He lived in China for ten years, so of course he speaks Chinese

dāng rán

Sens

of course; naturally

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When to use 当然, 其实 and 终于 for “Of Course,” “Actually” and “Finally”

Pièges courants

Exercice ciblé

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