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事实上 (shì shí shàng) — (adverbial phrase) in fact; as a matter of fact; actually

Definition

idiom
(adverbial phrase) in factas a matter of factactually

Examples

  • 事实上，。
    shì shí shàng, Wǒ cóng lái méi yǒu qù guò nà lǐ.
    In fact, I've never been there.
  • ，事实上。
    Tā shuō tā xǐ huan, dàn shì shí shàng tā bìng bù xǐ huan.
    He said he likes it, but actually he doesn't.
  • 事实上，。
    shì shí shàng, Zhè ge jì huà bǐ kàn shàng qù jiǎn dān dé duō.
    As a matter of fact, this plan is much simpler than it looks.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

事实fact
事shìmatter实shíreal
联合Coordinate
上shàngon

事实 names the fact; 上 adds the idea of 'on' or 'in' it, so 事实上 means in 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 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

上 is drawn as a short horizontal line placed above a longer arc, marking a position above that arc.

Open 上 →
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