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真的 (zhēn de) — (adverb) really, truly, indeed; (adjective) real, true, genuine

Definition

As an adverb, 真的 means 'really / truly,' used for emphasis or surprise (e.g. 真的吗？ 'Really?'). As an adjective it means 'real, genuine' — modifying a noun directly, or after 是…的 to describe something as true.

adverb
reallytrulyindeed
adjective
realtruegenuine

Examples

  • 真的？
    Nǐ zhēn de yào qù ma?
    Are you really going?
  • 真的。
    Zhè ge gù shi shì zhēn de de.
    This story is true.
  • 真的？。
    zhēn de? Wǒ bù xiāng xìn.
    Really? I don't believe it.

Origin

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.

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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
白白báiwhite
Sound part声符shēngfú
勺
勺sháo的de
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

的 pairs 白, related to white or brightness, with 勺, which gives a clue to the sound. Its older form 旳 meant bright.

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