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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'truly' or 'really' with 实 (shí)

    Degree & Intensity
    Emphasis

    Structure

    实在 + Adjective / 实在 + Verb

    Explanation

    实 (shí) is used as an adverb meaning "truly" or "really," often appearing as 实在 (shízài) to emphasize that something is genuinely the case. It intensifies the degree of the adjective or verb that follows.

    Examples

    • 这道菜实在太好吃了，我还想再来一份。

      zhè dào cài shízài tài hǎochī le, wǒ hái xiǎng zài lái yí fèn.

      This dish is really too delicious; I want to order another serving.

    • 今天的工作实在太多了，我忙不过来。

      jīntiān de gōngzuò shízài tài duō le, wǒ máng bù guòlái.

      There's really too much work today; I can't keep up with it all.

    • 他说的话实在让人感动。

      tā shuō de huà shízài ràng rén gǎndòng.

      What he said was truly moving.

    Expressing 'truly' or 'really' with 实 (shí) | Chinese Grammar