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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'actually' with 实际上 (shíjìshang)

    Emphasis
    Topic & Focus

    Structure

    实际上 + Clause

    Explanation

    实际上 (shíjìshang) means "actually," "in fact," or "in reality" and is used to reveal the truth behind an appearance or assumption. It typically appears at the beginning of a clause to introduce a correction or surprising fact. This adverb is common in both spoken and written Chinese.

    Examples

    • 他看起来很年轻，实际上已经四十岁了。

      Tā kàn qǐlái hěn niánqīng, shíjì shang yǐjīng sìshí suì le.

      He looks very young, but he's actually already forty years old.

    • 这道题看着简单，实际上非常难。

      Zhè dào tí kànzhe jiǎndān, shíjì shang fēicháng nán.

      This problem looks simple, but it's actually very difficult.

    • 实际上，我们早就认识了。

      Shíjì shang, wǒmen zǎo jiù rènshi le.

      Actually, we got to know each other a long time ago.

    Similar Grammar

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    Expressing 'actually' with 实际上 (shíjìshang) | Chinese Grammar