真的
zhēnde
In Chinese, the English word 'really' is expressed as 真的 (zhēnde).
The word 真的 is used as an adverb to mean 'actually'. It can also be used as an adjective to describe a noun, such as in the phrase 真的事, which means 'real matter' or 'true event'.
Meaning: actually (adv)
Which one should you use?
While 真的 is used for 'really' in a general sense, the related form 确实 is used more specifically to emphasize that a fact is certain or to confirm a previous statement, translating closer to 'indeed' or 'certainly'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, particularly in Hong Kong and among Cantonese speakers, the informal term 真係 is used for 'really'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adverb, 真的 can modify adjectives, for example in the phrase 真的很好 (really good). It can also function as an adjective to describe a noun.
How do you pronounce it?
zhēnde
When do people say it?
To express surprise at new information or to request confirmation, you can use 真的？ or the form 真的吗？, which adds the question particle 吗 to create the common expression for 'Really?' or 'Is that true?'
Did you know?
- If you use 真的 to describe a person, you are not just saying they are 'real', but rather complimenting them as being 'genuine' or 'sincere' in character.
- The character 真 is the same root used in the philosophical term 真理, which translates to 'truth'.
- Adding the particle 呀 to the end to say 真的呀 can change the tone from a simple statement to an emphatic 'I promise you, it is really true!'
Examples in context
- 花真的好香。These flowers have a really nice fragrance.This example shows how to use 真的 to modify an adjective describing fragrance.Tatoeba #2347863 by GlossaMatik, translation #2347862 by FeuDRenais2
- 噢，真的嗎?Oh, really?This example demonstrates the use of 真的 to express surprise.Tatoeba #2771144 by cienias, translation #2570909 by Hybrid
- 我真的好忙。I'm really busy.This example illustrates using 真的 as an adverb to modify the adjective 'busy'.Tatoeba #4760008 by ryanwoo, translation #2046669 by CK
- 这个问题非常重要。(Zhè ge wèn tí fēi cháng zhòng yào.)This question is really important.
- 我真的很喜欢这首歌。(Wǒ zhēn de hěn xǐ huān zhè shǒu gē.)I really like this song.
- 今天天气特别冷。(Jīn tiān tiān qì tè bié lěng.)The weather is really cold today.
- 他又迟到了，真是的。(Tā yòu chí dào le, zhēn shì de.)He's late again, really!
- 245 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Wei and Xiaowen are talking about a new movie.
- 伟 Wei这部电影真的很有意思。Zhè bù diànyǐng zhēnde hěn yǒuyìsi.This movie is really interesting.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我也这么觉得。Wǒ yě zhème juéde.I think so too.
- 伟 Wei你真的看过这部电影吗？Nǐ zhēnde kànguò zhè bù diànyǐng ma?Have you really seen this movie?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen当然看过，很精彩。Dāngrán kànguò, hěn jīngcǎi.Of course I have, it was wonderful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “really” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
