実は
jitsu wa[d͡ʑit͡sɨ β̞a̠]
Actually in Japanese can be expressed as several different words depending on the context, with the default form being 実は (jitsu wa). Wiktionary also lists 本当に (hontō ni) and 実際に (jissai ni).
Meaning: In act or in fact, really, in truth, positively (adv)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 実は | jitsu wa | [d͡ʑit͡sɨ β̞a̠] (narrow) |
| 本当に | hontō ni | |
| 実際に | jissai ni |
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 実は literally means 'as for the truth', consisting of 実 (truth/reality) and the topic marker は.
Which one should you use?
実は is used when revealing a fact that is different from what the listener previously assumed or what was expected. 実際に is used to emphasize that something happened in reality or in practice, often contrasting a theory or expectation with the real-world outcome. 本当に is used to emphasize the truth or degree of a state, functioning more like 'really' or 'truly' than 'actually' in the sense of correcting a misconception.
How do you pronounce it?
jitsu wa
Did you know?
- The word 実 (jitsu) in 実は does not just mean 'truth', it also refers to the 'fruit' or 'seed' of a plant. It conveys the idea of something being the 'core' or 'essence' of a matter.
- Using 実は at the start of a sentence can act as a conversational 'buffer' to soften the blow of delivering bad news.
- In Japanese storytelling and anime, characters often start a dramatic confession with 実は… followed by a long pause to build suspense before revealing a secret.
Examples in context
- 実は、姉なんです。Actually, she's my older sister.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of 実は to reveal a surprising fact about a person.Tatoeba #11563505 by small_snow, translation #7664454 by AlanF_US
- 実は、知らないんだ。Actually, I don't know.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of 実は to express a lack of knowledge.Tatoeba #12725803 by small_snow, translation #8856202 by moxy
- 実際に何が起こったの？What actually happened?This sentence is useful for practicing the use of 実際に to ask about real-world occurrences.Tatoeba #149325 by bunbuku, translation #265233 by CK
- 実際に、この商品は利益をもたらすかどうか分析しました。I actually analyzed whether this product would bring profits.
- 本当は、その結果は予想以上に驚くべきものでした。Actually, the result was astonishing beyond expectations.
- 実は、彼の話は全部ウソだったんだよ。Actually, all of his stories were lies.
- 実際、彼の才能はかなり優れているね。Actually, his talent is quite outstanding.
- 83 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Yata are talking about a small mistake Yata made.
- 結衣 Yui陽太くん、何か隠してる？Yata-kun, nani ka kakushiteru?Yata, are you hiding something?
- 陽太 Yota実は、昨日、鍵をなくしたんだ。Jitsu wa, kinou, kagi o nakushitan da.Actually, I lost my keys yesterday.
- 結衣 Yui大変！見つかったの？Taihen! Mitsukatta no?That's terrible! Did you find them?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、さっき見つかったよ。Un, sakki mitsukatta yo.Yeah, I found them a little while ago.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “actually” translations and entries 実は, 実際に, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
