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    Chinese Grammar

    Using 实在 (shízài) to express "really" or "truly"

    Degree & Intensity
    Emphasis

    Explanation

    The adverb 实在 (shízài) means "really" or "truly" and is used to emphasize that something is genuinely the case. It carries a tone of sincerity or inevitability, often implying the speaker has no choice or is being completely honest. For example, 实在没想到 means "really didn't expect."

    Examples

    • 今天实在太热了，我不想出门。

      Jīntiān shízài tài rè le, wǒ bù xiǎng chūmén.

      It's really too hot today; I don't want to go out.

    • 这道题我实在不会做，你能帮我吗？

      Zhè dào tí wǒ shízài bú huì zuò, nǐ néng bāng wǒ ma?

      I really can't solve this problem; can you help me?

    • 她唱得实在太好听了，大家都鼓掌了。

      Tā chàng de shízài tài hǎotīng le, dàjiā dōu gǔzhǎng le.

      She sang so beautifully that everyone applauded.

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    Using 实在 (shízài) to express "really" or "truly" | Chinese Grammar