Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 究竟 | jiūjìng |
| 其實 / 其实 | qíshí |
In Chinese, the word used depends on whether you are asking a question to find the truth or making a statement to correct a misconception. Use 究竟 to express 'in act or in fact', 'really' or 'in truth'. When you want to provide a factual clarification or correct a misconception in a statement, 其实 / 其實 is the most common choice.
Which one should you use?
While both terms can relate to truth, they function differently in a sentence. In a question, 究竟 functions like 'on earth' or 'after all' to emphasize a search for the truth. In a declarative statement, 其实 / 其實 is used to say 'actually' or 'in fact' when clarifying a situation.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a sentence adverb, 其实 is typically placed at the beginning of a clause or sentence to introduce a fact that contradicts what was previously thought.
How do you pronounce it?
jiūjìng
Did you know?
- While 究竟 usually means 'actually' or 'after all' in a question, it can also be used as a noun to mean 'the final outcome' or 'the end' of a situation.
- The word 其实 is composed of 其 meaning 'its' or 'that' and 实 meaning 'real' or 'solid', literally meaning 'that reality'.
- The term 其实 is often used as a soft way to disagree with someone without being confrontational, serving as a linguistic buffer to introduce a different perspective.
Examples in context
- 实际上，这个决定是基于严密的研究和专业的分析。(Shíjìshàng, zhège juédìng shì jīyú yánmì de yánjiū hé zhuānyè de fēnxī.)Actually, this decision is based on rigorous research and professional analysis.
- 其实，这个电影真的很好笑。(Qíshí, zhège diànyǐng zhēn de hěn hǎoxiào.)Actually, this movie is really funny.
- 你究竟在想什麼？nǐ jiū jìng zài xiǎng shén me?What are you actually thinking?
- 事情究竟是怎么回事？shì qíng jiū jìng shì zěn me huí shì?What is actually going on?
- 他究竟去不去？tā jiū jìng qù bù qù?Is he actually going or not?
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a confusing movie plot.
- 雨婷 Yuting这部电影的结局太奇怪了。Zhè bù diànyǐng de jiéjú tài qíguài le.The ending of this movie is too strange.
- 浩然 Haoran我也觉得，完全看不懂。Wǒ yě juéde, wánquán kàn bù dǒng.I think so too, I don't understand it at all.
- 雨婷 Yuting那个主角究竟是谁？Nàge zhǔjué jiūjìng shì shuí?Who is actually the main character?
- 浩然 Haoran我想我也没看出来。Wǒ xiǎng wǒ yě méi kàn chūlái.I think I didn't figure that out either.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “actually” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
