其实 (qí shí) — actually, in fact, really

Definition

其实 flags a contrast to what was assumed or expected — 'actually, in fact'. It corrects a prior belief. 确实 confirms a fact you already suspected; 真正 emphasizes that something is genuinely true.

adverb
actuallyin factreally

Examples

  • 其实
    Wǒ yǐ wéi tā bù lái le, qí shí tā zǎo jiù dào le.
    I thought he wasn't coming, but actually he arrived early.
  • 其实
    Zhè ge wèn tí kàn qǐ lái hěn nán, qí shí hěn jiǎn dān.
    This problem looks difficult, but it's actually very simple.
  • 其实
    Dà jiā dōu shuō hǎo, qí shí wǒ bú tài xǐ huan.
    Everyone says it's good, but actually I don't like it very much.

Grammar

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