Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| πραγματικά | pragmatiká | /pɾaɣmatiˈka/ |
| πράγματι | prágmati | |
| όντως | óntos | /ˈondos/ |
| αληθινά | alithiná |
When you want to say 'actually' or use 'really' as an adverb to emphasize a quality or an action, several forms are available. πραγματικά is a common way to express this. If you wish to convey a deeper sense of sincerity or truthfulness, you might use αληθινά. To indicate agreement or affirmation, you can use όντως, πράγματι or πραγματικά. In colloquial settings, when you want to express surprise or ask for confirmation of new information (like saying 'Really?' or 'Seriously?'), use the interjection αλήθεια. For a more intense meaning like 'absolutely' or 'completely', Greek speakers use απόλυτα.
What does it mean word for word?
The word αληθινά is derived from αλήθεια (truth) and literally means 'in a truthful manner'.
Which one should you use?
The forms πράγματι, όντως and πραγματικά can all be used to express affirmation or agreement. However, πράγματι is frequently used as a standalone response to agree with a statement, functioning similarly to the English 'Indeed' or 'That is correct'. When responding to news with an expression of surprise or to request confirmation, the interjection αλήθεια is more common than the other available forms.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
pragmatiká (/pɾaɣmatiˈka/)
When do people say it?
When someone shares news and you wish to react with surprise or ask for confirmation, it is common to use the interjection αλήθεια.
Did you know?
- The word πράγματι is a linguistic fossil. It is the ancient dative form of the noun πράγμα, meaning 'thing', which has hardened into an adverb over centuries.
- The word αληθινά shares a root with αλήθεια, and both are built from the Ancient Greek notion of 'unconcealment' or 'truth'.
- Depending on the speaker's intent, choosing between όντως and πραγματικά can signal whether they are confirming a fact or expressing a personal opinion.
Examples in context
- Θέλετε πραγματικά να βοηθήσετε;Do you really want to help?This sentence uses πραγματικά to ask if someone truly wants to help.Tatoeba #3579745 by Zeus, translation #2012604 by CK
- Ο Σάμη είναι πραγματικά μικρός.Sami is really small.This sentence uses πραγματικά to emphasize the size of someone.Tatoeba #7764273 by eypros, translation #6809781 by OsoHombre
- Πραγματικά δεν έχω καμία ερώτηση.I really don't have any questions.This sentence uses πραγματικά to emphasize a lack of questions.Tatoeba #7056907 by janMiso, translation #3727399 by CM
- 40 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Eleni and Giorgos are discussing a movie they recently watched.
- Ελένη EleniΉταν πραγματικά καλή ταινία.Ítan pragmatiká kalí tainía.It was really a good movie.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΣυμφωνώ, μου άρεσε πολύ.Symfóno, mou árese polý.I agree, I liked it a lot.
- Ελένη EleniΗ ιστορία ήταν ενδιαφέρουσα.I storía ítan endiaférousa.The story was interesting.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΝαι, η διασκευή της ήταν εξαιρετική.Nai, i diaskeví tis ítan exairetikí.Yes, its adaptation was excellent.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “really” translations and entries πραγματικά, πράγματι, όντως, αληθινά, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries πράγματι, όντως, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
