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实在 (shí zài) — (adverb) really, indeed, actually; (adjective) honest, dependable, genuine

Definition

实在 has two sides: as an adverb it's an emphatic 'really, indeed' (like 确实); as an adjective it means 'honest, down-to-earth' (a person). 真 stresses truth/reality; 实在 stresses honest character.

adverb
reallyindeedactually
adjective
honestdependablegenuine

Examples

  • 实在。
    Tā zhè ge rén hěn shí zài.
    He is a very honest person.
  • 实在。
    Wǒ shí zài bù zhī dào.
    I really don't know.
  • 实在。
    Tā de huà hěn shí zài.
    His words are honest (true/genuine).

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shítrue
在zàibeing

The sense of 实 as true and 在 as being combine to give genuine, really.

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.

The early form of 在 used 才 for its sound; a second sound part 士 was added later, and that 士 became the 土 seen in 在.

Open 在 →
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