实际上

shíjìshàng

in fact

HSK 4

漢字分解

Usage of 实际上

'实际上' is an adverb used to indicate the true situation or fact, often contrasting with appearances or assumptions. It is commonly used to introduce a correction or clarification about reality.

Common contexts

It frequently appears in spoken and written Chinese to emphasize the real state of affairs, especially when it differs from what was expected or assumed.

Collocations and patterns

Nuance

Using '实际上' often implies that the speaker wants to correct a misunderstanding or reveal a truth that might be surprising or contrary to expectations. It is neutral in tone and suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common confusion

Do not confuse '实际上' with '其实' (qíshí), which is similar but slightly more informal and often used to introduce a personal opinion or subtle correction. '实际上' tends to emphasize objective facts more strongly.

例文

他看起来很自信,实际上很紧张。

Tā kàn qǐlái hěn zìxìn, shíjìshàng hěn jǐnzhāng.

He looks confident, but in fact, he is very nervous.

实际上,这个问题比我们想象的要复杂得多。

Shíjìshàng, zhège wèntí bǐ wǒmen xiǎngxiàng de yào fùzá dé duō.

In reality, this problem is much more complicated than we imagined.

他说他会来,实际上他没有出现。

Tā shuō tā huì lái, shíjìshàng tā méiyǒu chūxiàn.

He said he would come, but actually he did not show up.