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实际 (shí jì) — (noun) reality; practice (as opposed to theory); (adjective) practical; realistic; actual

Definition

实际 covers both senses: as a noun, 'reality/practice' vs. theory; as an adjective, 'practical/realistic.' Contrast with 现实 (more about harsh real-world conditions) and 实用 (usable, functional).

noun
realitypractice (as opposed to theory)
adjective
practicalrealisticactual

Examples

  • 实际。
    Tā de jiàn yì fēi cháng shí jì.
    His suggestion is very practical.
  • 实际。
    Wǒ men bù néng tuō lí shí jì.
    We cannot be divorced from reality.
  • ，。
    shí jì Shang, zhè ge wèn tí hěn jiǎn dān.
    Actually, this question is very simple.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

实shíreal
际jìcircumstance

实 means real and 际 means circumstance, together meaning what is actually the case.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 實; 实 is its simplified writing.

  • 宀宀miánroof
  • 周周zhōucarved jade
  • 貝貝bèishellfish; cowrie

The traditional form 實 has 宀 'roof' above 周 'carved jade' and 貝 'cowrie'; the simplified 实 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical pieces.

Open 实 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 際; 际 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
阝Written in full as阜fù
Sound part声符shēngfú
祭
祭jì際⁰jì
Same sound today

The traditional form 際 pairs 阝 with 祭: 阝 gives the meaning and 祭 gives the sound. The simplified 际 is a later shorthand.

Open 际 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 4HSK 2.0 Level 4Abstract Concepts5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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