实则 (shí zé) — actually, in fact, in reality
Definition
A written conjunction-like adverb meaning 'in reality / actually', used to contrast with what was just stated or assumed (e.g. 表面…，实则…). More formal and literary than 其实.
adverb
actuallyin factin reality
Examples
- ，实则。Biǎo miàn shàng kàn hěn jiǎn dān, shí zé bù rán.It looks simple on the surface, but in reality it's not.
- ，实则。Tā zuǐ shàng shuō bú jiè yì, shí zé xīn lǐ hěn zài hu.He says he doesn't mind, but in fact he cares a lot.
- ，实则。Zǐ xì yì chá, shí zé nà ge shù jù shì cuò de.Upon careful check, that data is actually wrong.
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