真的
zhēnde
The Mandarin word for 'really' is 真的 (zhēnde).
真的 is used to mean 'actually' and can function as an adverb to modify verbs or adjectives. It is also used as an interjection to express surprise or to request confirmation of information. When you add a question mark to the phrase, 真的？ becomes a common conversational way to express disbelief or to seek confirmation.
Meaning: actually (adv)
Which one should you use?
While 真的 is used for general emphasis or surprise, the form 确实 is more formal and carries a stronger sense of 'certainly' or 'indeed' to confirm a fact. Additionally, while 真的？ is a common way to say 'Really?', the more complete and standard way to ask 'Is that true?' is to use the phrase 真的吗？ by adding the question particle 吗.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 真的 can function as an adverb to modify adjectives or verbs, or as an interjection to express surprise.
How do you pronounce it?
zhēnde
Did you know?
- The character 真 (zhēn) originally depicted a divination tool or a small ritual object, symbolizing the 'truth' revealed by the gods.
- If you are reacting to a piece of news with extreme shock, you might use 真的假的 (zhēn de jiǎ de), which literally translates to 'real or fake'.
- In spoken Mandarin, if someone says 真的 with a rising tone at the end, it functions as a question, whereas a falling tone makes it a statement of fact.
Examples in context
- 花真的好香。These flowers have a really nice fragrance.This sentence shows how to use 真的 to modify an adjective describing a scent.Tatoeba #2347863 by GlossaMatik, translation #2347862 by FeuDRenais2
- 噢，真的嗎?Oh, really?This sentence uses 真的 as an interjection to express surprise.Tatoeba #2771144 by cienias, translation #2570909 by Hybrid
- 我真的好忙。I'm really busy.This sentence demonstrates using 真的 as an adverb to modify an adjective.Tatoeba #4760008 by ryanwoo, translation #2046669 by CK
- 她真的很漂亮。(Tā zhēn de hěn piàoliang.)She is really beautiful.
- 这个观点确实有道理。(Zhège guāndiǎn quèshí yǒu dàolǐ.)This viewpoint really makes sense.
- 他实在是个好人。(Tā shízài shì gè hǎorén.)He is really a good person (emphasis on sincerity).
- 这个电影超级好看！(Zhège diànyǐng chāojí hǎokàn!)This movie is really awesome!
- 这道菜特别好吃！(Zhè dào cài tèbié hǎochī!)This dish is really delicious!
- 这个消息真是太好了！(Zhège xiāoxi zhēn shì tài hǎo le!)This news is really great!
- 这是真正的问题。(Zhè shì zhēnzhèng de wèntí.)This is a real problem.
- 245 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Xinyi and Wei are talking about a new movie.
- 欣怡 Xinyi这部电影真的很有趣。Zhè bù diànyǐng zhēn de hěn yǒuqù.This movie is actually very interesting.
- 伟 Wei我也这么觉得。Wǒ yě zhème juéde.I think so too.
- 欣怡 Xinyi你真的看过这部电影吗？Nǐ zhēn de kànguò zhè bù diànyǐng ma?Did you actually see this movie?
- 伟 Wei当然看过，我很喜欢。Dāngrán kànguò, wǒ hěn xǐhuān.Of course I did, I like it a lot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “really” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
