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事实 (shì shí) — fact

Definition

A neutral noun for an established 'fact' (something that can be verified). 实话 is what someone says is true; 真相 is the hidden or underlying truth.

noun
fact
Measure word · 个
Easily confused

Examples

  • 事实。
    Zhè shì yí gè bù róng fǒu rèn de shì shí.
    This is an undeniable fact.
  • 事实。
    shì shí Shèng yú xióng biàn.
    Facts speak louder than words.
  • 事实。
    Nǐ yīng gāi gēn jù shì shí zuò chū pàn duàn.
    You should make a judgment based on the facts.

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.

事shìmatter
实shíreality

事 and 实 combine to mean the reality of a matter, hence a fact.

Characters in this word

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

In 事, 又 is a hand and 中 is a flagpole with a drum; holding a flag in hand depicts performing a job.

Open 事 →

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 →
Appears in
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