จริงๆ
ching ching
The English word 'actually' is translated into Thai as จริงๆ (ching ching).
The word จริงๆ is used to express that something is in act, in fact or in truth. When you place จริงๆ after a verb or an adjective, it functions as an intensifier meaning 'really' or 'truly'.
Meaning: In act or in fact, really, in truth, positively (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The term จริงๆ is a reduplicated form of the word จริง, which means 'true' or 'real'. The reduplication in จริงๆ serves to emphasize the degree of truth or reality.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can use the phrase จริงๆ แล้ว to mean 'actually' or 'in reality' when you are introducing a fact that contradicts a previous statement at the start of a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
ching ching
Did you know?
- While จริงๆ means 'really', adding the particle นะ to the end as จริงๆ นะ transforms it from a statement of fact into a plea for the listener to believe the speaker.
- In very formal or royal Thai, speakers avoid จริงๆ and use more complex terms derived from Pali and Sanskrit to express the idea of 'truth' or 'reality'.
- Thai speakers often use จริงๆ in a sarcastic tone to mean the exact opposite of 'actually', similar to how an English speaker might say 'really?' with a raised eyebrow.
Examples in context
- ผมไม่เคยเห็นยีราฟจริงๆI've never actually seen a giraffe.This sentence shows how to use จริงๆ to state something that has not happened in reality.Tatoeba #10220395 by Somsak, translation #6812225 by CK
- เค้าดูเด็ก แต่จริงๆอายุเกินสี่สิบปีHe seems young, but he's actually over 40 years old.This sentence demonstrates using จริงๆ to clarify a person's actual age against appearances.Tatoeba #2874212 by ojiisan, translation #1135744 by CN
Example conversation
Chonlasit and Nicha are talking about a movie.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitหนังเรื่องนี้สนุกมากเลยนะnang rueang ni sanuk mak loei naThis movie is really fun, right?
- ณิชา Nichaจริงๆ ฉันว่ามันน่าเบื่อching ching chan wa man na bueaActually, I think it's boring.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitทำไมเธอคิดแบบนั้นล่ะtham mai thoe khit baep nan laWhy do you think that?
- ณิชา Nichaเนื้อเรื่องดำเนินเรื่องช้าเกินไปnuea rueang damnoen rueang cha koen paiThe plot moves too slowly.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
