Ways to say it
| Urdu | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| در حقیقت | dar-haqīqat | |
| واقعی | wāqaī | |
| دراصل | dar-asl | /d̪ə.ɾə.səl/ (Standard, Urdu) |
The word دراصل is the most natural way to start a sentence when you are about to correct someone or clarify a point, much like the English 'actually'.
What does it mean word for word?
The form دراصل is composed of در (in) and اصل (origin/root/reality). Similarly, the phrase در حقیقت is composed of در (in) and حقیقت (truth/reality).
Which one should you use?
While دراصل and در حقیقت are used to correct a misconception or introduce a fact, واقعی is more commonly used as an intensifier meaning 'really' or 'truly' (for example, 'It is really good').
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
در حقیقت is slightly more formal than دراصل. For very formal conversations, you may also use the phrase حقیقت میں, which translates to 'in reality' or 'in fact'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective حقیقتی is used to mean 'actual' or 'real'.
How do you pronounce it?
dar-asl is pronounced /d̪ə.ɾə.səl/. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word در in the phrase دراصل originally meant 'gate' or 'palace' in Middle Persian, before evolving into the preposition 'in' used in Urdu.
- In Urdu, the concept of 'truth' is often split between حقیقت which refers to an objective reality and سچ which refers to the act of telling the truth.
- While دراصل is used to clarify a point, using واقعی in a questioning tone can turn it into an expression of disbelief similar to 'Really?!'
Examples in context
- دراصل ٹوم وہ نہیں کرنا چاہتا ہے۔Actually, Tom doesn't want to do that.This sentence shows how to use دراصل to introduce a clarification.Tatoeba #10812137 by Roomba_Unit, translation #13388236 by Roomba_Unit
- میں حقیقت میں وہ کام کر رہا ہوں۔Actually, I am doing that work.
- دراصل وہ آج نہیں آئے گا۔dar-asl woh aaj nahi aaye ga.Actually, he will not come today.
- دراصل یہ میرا خیال ہے۔dar-asl yeh mera khayal hai.Actually, this is my opinion.
Example conversation
Hamza and Sarah are discussing a plan for the weekend.
- حمزہ Hamzaکیا ہم کل پارک جائیں گے؟kya hum kal park jayein ge?Are we going to the park tomorrow?
- سارہ Saraدراصل، میں بہت تھک گئی ہوں۔dar-asl, mein bohat thak gayi hoon.Actually, I am very tired.
- حمزہ Hamzaکوئی بات نہیں، آرام کرو۔koi baat nahi, aaram karo.No problem, just rest.
- سارہ Saraشکریہ، حمزہ۔shukriya, Hamza.Thank you, Hamza.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “actually” translations and entries در حقیقت, واقعی, دراصل, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries حقیقت, در, دراصل, واقعی, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
