in fact; actually (often implying contrast)
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesadverb
in fact; actually; as a matter of fact
neutralUsed to introduce a statement of truth that contrasts with appearances, assumptions, or what was said earlier. The preceding context often creates an expectation that is then corrected. The optional '儿化' form is '实际儿上 (shíjìr shang)' in some northern dialects.
Tā他
shuō说
tīng听
dǒng懂
le了
，
shí实
jì际
shang上
bìng并
méi没
yǒu有
dǒng懂
。
He said he understood, but in fact, he didn't.
Tā她
kàn看
qǐ起
lái来
bù不
guò过
èr二
shí十
sì四
wǔ五
suì岁
，
shí实
jì际
shang上
yǐ已
jīng经
sān三
shí十
chū出
tóu头
le了
。
She looks only about twenty-four or twenty-five, but actually, she's already over thirty.
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Zhè这
jiā家
gōng公
sī司
míng名
qì气
hěn很
dà大
，
shí实
jì际
shang上
guī规
mó模
hěn很
xiǎo小
。
This company has a big reputation, but in reality, it's very small in scale.
Lǐ理
lùn论
shang上
jì计
huá划
shì是
kě可
xíng行
de的
，
shí实
jì际
shang上
huì会
yù遇
dào到
hěn很
duō多
kùn困
nan难
。
Theoretically the plan is feasible, but in practice, we will encounter many difficulties.
Tā他
biǎo表
miàn面
shang上
hěn很
píng平
jìng静
，
shí实
jì际
shang上
nèi内
xīn心
fēi非
cháng常
jǐn紧
zhāng张
。
On the surface he appears calm, but actually, he's very nervous inside.