现实 xiànshí reality
reality; actuality; real; actual; realistic; pragmatic; materialistic; self-interested
How to remember 现实: 现 the present + 实 real = reality.
Characters
How it is used
- Reality (noun) and 'realistic/pragmatic' (adj) - 面对现实 (miànduì xiànshí) face reality; 现实问题 practical issues.
- Watch the negative human sense: 他很现实 (tā hěn xiànshí) means 'he's calculating / materialistic', not a compliment.
- Contrast 现实 (reality) with 理想 (lǐxiǎng, ideal) - the pair 理想与现实 is a stock contrast.
Example sentences
- 现实点！ Xiànshí diǎn!Be realistic!