真正
chin-chiàⁿ
The Hokkien word for 'really' is 真正 (chin-chiàⁿ).
真正 is used to emphasize the truth or authenticity of a situation, functioning similarly to the English words 'truly' or 'genuinely'.
Meaning: actually (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 眞 (chin), meaning 'true' and 正 (chiàⁿ), meaning 'correct' or 'straight'.
Which one should you use?
While 真正 emphasizes authenticity, it is distinct from using the particle 真 alone, which is more commonly used as an intensifier meaning 'very'.
How do you pronounce it?
chin-chiàⁿ
Did you know?
- While 真正 means 'really', if a speaker repeats it as 真正, 真正, it can shift from a simple confirmation to an expression of deep regret or sincerity.
- If you use 真正 to describe a person, you are often commenting on their character and integrity rather than just confirming a fact about them.
- Hokkien speakers may use 真正 to introduce a 'confession' or a secret, where it functions less like 'really' and more like the English phrase 'to tell you the truth'.
Examples in context
- 伊真正好心。I chin chin hó-sim.He is actually very kind-hearted.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a movie they just watched.
- 佳怡 Chia-yi你覺得這部電影敢好？lí kit-tok tsè-pōo tiān-iáng kán hó?Do you think this movie is good?
- 家豪 Ka-hao我真正覺得太長了。guá chin-cheng kit-tok tsái tsiânn-tsháng liáu.I actually think it was too long.
- 佳怡 Chia-yi我也覺得，劇情太慢。guá iā kit-tok, tsù-tsîng tsiânn-mān.I think so too, the plot is too slow.
- 家豪 Ka-hao對，真正沒什麼意思。tùi, chin-cheng bô sián-mih ì-sù.Right, it's actually not very interesting.
