adjective / adverb / interjection HSK 2
really · truly · real · genuine
Meaning
真的 is one of the most common ways to say 'really' or 'truly' in Mandarin. It can function as an adjective meaning 'real' or 'genuine', as an adverb intensifying a statement, or as a standalone interjection expressing surprise or seeking confirmation.
Usage
Native speakers use 真的 constantly in everyday conversation. As an adverb, it emphasizes the truth of a statement (真的很好 'really good'). As a question (真的吗？), it means 'Really?' or 'Is that true?' It's neutral in register and appropriate for all contexts from casual to formal speech.
Examples
- 01这个故事是真的吗？?Is this story true?
- 02他真的很努力学习中文。.He really works hard at studying Chinese.
Characters
Common collocations
- 真的吗Really? Is that true?
- 真的很really very...
- 是真的it's real/true
- 不是真的it's not true
Antonyms
Origin
真 originally depicted transformation or refinement, evolving to mean 'true' or 'genuine'. Combined with the structural particle 的, it creates an adjectival or adverbial phrase emphasizing authenticity or truth.