其实
qíshí
Actually
其实 (qí shí) — actually, in fact
其实 (qíshí) + Subj. + Verb / Subj. + 其实 (qíshí) + Verb
HSK 33.0
Pattern diagram
其实Who / whatAction
Who / what其实Action
Rule structure
其实 (qíshí) is a tone adverb that introduces a clarification or correction and shows the real situation contrary to expectation. It can appear at the start of a sentence or after the subject, before a verb or adjective. It is not a negation or a contrast word like 但是 (dànshì); it means "actually, in fact".
Rule structure
其实 (qíshí) is a tone adverb that introduces a clarification or correction and shows the real situation contrary to expectation. It can appear at the start of a sentence or after the subject, before a verb or adjective. It is not a negation or a contrast word like 但是 (dànshì); it means "actually, in fact".
Examples
其实我不喜欢咖啡。
Qíshí wǒ bù xǐhuan kāfēi.
Actually, I do not like coffee.
他其实不想去。
Tā qíshí bù xiǎng qù.
He actually doesn't want to go.
Examples
其实我不喜欢咖啡。
Qíshí wǒ bù xǐhuan kāfēi.
Actually, I do not like coffee.
他其实不想去。
Tā qíshí bù xiǎng qù.
He actually doesn't want to go.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “actually, in fact” in Chinese with 其实?
Use the structure: 其实 (qíshí) + Subj. + Verb / Subj. + 其实 (qíshí) + Verb. For example: 其实我不喜欢咖啡。 — “Actually, I do not like coffee”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
其实我不喜欢咖啡。 — “Actually, I do not like coffee”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 3.
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More HSK 3.0 Level 3 grammar rules
不是……吗？ — rhetorical questions
不 (bù) 是 (shì)…… 吗 (ma)？
极了 — extremely, very
Adj. + 极了 (jí le)
得很 — very, extremely
Adj. + 得很 (de hěn)
先 — first… then…
先 (xiān)……, 再 (zài)……
一边 — doing two things at once
一边 (yìbiān) + Verb 1, 一边 (yìbiān) + Verb 2
又 — again in the past
又 (yòu) + Verb + 了 (le)
一直 — all along, continuously
Subj. + 一直 (yìzhí) + Verb/Adj.
总是 — always
总是 (zǒngshì) + Predicate