opravdu
[ˈopravdu]
The English word 'really' is translated into Czech as opravdu.
opravdu is an adverb used to mean 'actually'. It can also be used as an interjection, opravdu?, to express surprise at new information or to request confirmation of something you have just heard.
Meaning: actually (adv)
Which one should you use?
While opravdu is the standard way to say 'really', skutečně is a more formal alternative that often translates more closely to 'truly' or 'indeed'. As an interjection, you can use either opravdu? or skutečně? to express surprise or ask for confirmation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, particularly in Moravia, the word hodně is occasionally used to mean 'really'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adverb, opravdu is indeclinable, meaning it does not change its form based on gender, number or case.
Did you know?
- In some Czech dialects, people use the word ale meaning 'but' as an intensifier to mean 'really' or 'quite', such as saying something is ale dobrý.
- The word opravdu is related to the Polish word naprawdę, showing a shared Slavic root for expressing truth and reality.
- The word opravdu is built from the word pravda, which means 'truth'. It literally functions as a phrase meaning 'according to the truth'.
Examples in context
- O co tu opravdu jde?What's this really about?This sentence shows how to use opravdu to ask about the actual nature of a situation.Tatoeba #4434716 by lipao, translation #3515321 by CK
- Opravdu jsi tam šel?Did you really go there?This sentence demonstrates using opravdu to confirm if an action actually took place.Tatoeba #10254467 by Ergulis, translation #3737910 by CK
- Opravdu bych měl jít.I really ought to go.This sentence illustrates how opravdu can be used to emphasize an obligation.Tatoeba #3593184 by nueby, translation #2390877 by CK
- Skutečně mě to překvapiloIt really surprised me
- Fakt se těším na setkáníI'm really looking forward to the meeting
- Věřím ti doopravdyI really believe you
- Hodně jsem se bavil na večírkuI really enjoyed the party
- 270 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukáš and Tereza are talking about a movie they just watched.
- LukášTen film byl opravdu dlouhý.That movie was actually very long.
- TerezaAno, začala jsem se nudit.Yes, I started getting bored.
- LukášOpravdu neznám žádný jiný takový film.I actually don't know any other movie like that.
- TerezaJá taky, byl to zvláštní zážitek.Me neither, it was a strange experience.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry opravdu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries opravdu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
