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真是 (zhēn shi) — indeed; truly; (coll.) expressing disapproval or annoyance (often as 真是的)

Definition

真是 highlights a strong reaction — 'truly!' or '(how) really…' to praise or scold. Before a noun/adjective, paired with 真 it adds emphasis; in 真是的 it expresses annoyance.

verb
indeedtruly(coll.) expressing disapproval or annoyance (often as 真是的)

Examples

  • 真是。
    Tā zhēn shi gè yǒu jīng yàn de rén.
    He is truly an experienced person.
  • 真是，？
    Nǐ zhēn shi de, zěn me bù shuō yī shēng?
    What is wrong with you? Why didn't you say anything?
  • 真是。
    Zhè zhēn shi yí jiàn ràng rén gāo xìng de shì.
    This is truly a happy event.

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.

真zhēntrue; truly
是shìbe

真 means true or truly, and 是 means be; together they intensify a statement, as in truly is.

Characters in this word

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
貝貝bèicowrie; shell
Sound part声符shēngfú
𠂈
𠂈𠂈真zhēn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

真 pairs 貝 (cowrie shell, used for the meaning) with 𠂈, which gave the sound and originally drew a headlong fall.

Open 真 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 是 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9500 Most Frequent Chinese Words1000 Most Frequent Chinese WordsAttitudes & Opinions2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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