实际上 shíjìshàng in fact
in fact; in reality; as a matter of fact; in practice
How to remember 实际上: 实 real + 际 border + 上 above = in fact.
Characters
How it is used
- Sentence adverb meaning "in fact/actually," used to correct or contrast with what was just said or assumed.
- Example: 他看起来很年轻，实际上已经四十岁了 (tā kànqǐlái hěn niánqīng, shíjìshàng yǐjīng sìshí suì le) - he looks young, but actually he's already forty.
- Placed at the start of a clause, often after a comma. Similar to 其实 (qíshí), which is shorter and more common in speech; 实际上 leans slightly more formal/written.
Example sentences
- 实际上我错了。 Shíjìshàng wǒcuò le.Actually, I was wrong.
- 你实际上想说什么？ Nǐ shíjìshàng xiǎng shuō shénme?What do you really want to say?
- 实际上，我非常无聊。 Shíjìshàng, wǒ fēicháng wúliáo.Actually, it was pretty boring.