TongTong
Sign in

确实 (què shí) — indeed, really

Definition

An adverb meaning 'indeed, really' that confirms a fact the speaker has just verified. Stronger and more emphatic than 真, and more objective than 其实 (which contrasts with what someone assumes).

adverb
indeedreally

Examples

  • 确实。
    Tā què shí shì yí gè hǎo rén.
    He is indeed a good person.
  • 确实。
    Zhè ge wèn tí què shí hěn nán.
    This problem is really difficult.
  • 确实。
    Wǒ què shí bù zhī dào tā lái le.
    I really didn't know he came.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

确quètrue
实shíreal

确 and 实 both carry true and real, giving the sense of really.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 確; 确 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
石石shírock
Sound part声符shēngfú
隺
隺hè確què
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 確 combines 石, a rock, with 隺 for its sound; the idea is something rock-solid and certain. The simplified 确 is a shorthand.

Open 确 →

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 →

Grammar

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 4500 Most Frequent Chinese WordsHSK 2.0 Level 41000 Most Frequent Chinese WordsAttitudes & Opinions2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

Browse more HSK 4 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.