thật sự
[tʰət̚˧˨ʔ sɨ˧˨ʔ]
In Vietnamese, 'really' is expressed as thật sự.
The adverb thật sự is used to mean 'actually' or 'really'. It is typically placed before the verb or adjective it modifies to add emphasis, mirroring how 'really' is placed in English.
Meaning: actually (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase thật sự is composed of thật, meaning 'true' or 'real' and sự, meaning 'matter', 'fact' or 'event'.
Which one should you use?
While thật sự functions as an adverb meaning 'really' or 'actually', the single word thật is more commonly used as an adjective meaning 'real' or 'true'. To express an emphatic 'really' or 'truly' meant to reassure a listener, you can add the particle đấy to the end of a sentence to form thật đấy.
Related words
When do people say it?
To express surprise at new information or to request confirmation (similar to the English 'Really?'), you can use the interjections thật sao?, vậy à? or thế à? Using thật sao? specifically is a common way to ask 'Is that so?'
Did you know?
- The word thật has a close linguistic relative in the word thiệt, which is used in different contexts to mean 'loss' or 'damage'.
- The element sự was originally a suffix in Literary Chinese, but it shifted to a prefix in Vietnamese to better fit the native language's structure.
- The word thật is a doublet of thực and thiệt, meaning these three distinct words all evolved from the same common ancestor.
Examples in context
- Tôi thật sự muốn biết.I really want to know.This sentence shows how to use thật sự to express a desire to know something.Tatoeba #1550541 by trieuho, translation #481845 by blay_paul
- Tôi thật sự rất xin lỗi.I am really sorry.This sentence demonstrates using thật sự to emphasize an apology.Tatoeba #8839473 by dotheduyet1999, translation #436425 by lukaszpp
- Tôi thật sự nhớ nước Úc.I really miss Australia.This sentence illustrates the placement of thật sự when expressing a feeling of missing a place.Tatoeba #9031527 by dotheduyet1999, translation #7163702 by CK
- Kì thi là một thử thách thực sự.The exam is a real challenge.
- Quả thật là một cơ hội tuyệt vời.Truly, it's a great opportunity.
- Bạn thật là đẹp hôm nay.You look really beautiful today.
- Món ăn này thật là ngon.This dish is really delicious.
- Đây là một bộ phim cực kỳ hài hước.This is an extremely funny movie.
- Tôi cực kỳ thích nhạc rock.I really love rock music.
- Đây là một ngôi nhà rất xinh đẹp.This is a really beautiful house.
- Bạn ấy rất là thân thiện.He/She is really friendly.
- 38 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nam and Chi are talking about a new movie.
- NamBộ phim này hay không Chi?Is this movie good, Chi?
- ChiNó thật sự rất tuyệt vời.It is actually wonderful.
- NamVậy tôi sẽ đi xem tối nay.Then I will go see it tonight.
- ChiBạn sẽ không hối hận đâu.You won't regret it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “really” translations and entries thật sự, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sự, thật, thật sự, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
