qíshí: 其实 - Actually, In Fact, As a Matter of Fact

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• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese adverb 其实 (qíshí), which means “actually” or “in fact.” This page provides a deep dive into its meaning, cultural nuances, and practical usage. Discover how 其实 is used not just to state a fact, but to gently correct misconceptions, reveal hidden truths, and maintain social harmony, making it a cornerstone of everyday conversation for any beginner or intermediate learner.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): qíshí
• Part of Speech: Adverb
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: It is used to introduce the true situation, often in contrast to a previous statement, assumption, or appearance.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 其实 (qíshí) as the Chinese equivalent of starting a sentence with “Well, actually…” or “The truth is…”. It's a conversational pivot. You use it to signal a shift from what seems to be true, what was just said, or what someone might think, to what is *really* true. It’s an incredibly common word used to politely correct someone, share a surprising fact, or reveal your genuine feelings.

• 其 (qí): A classical Chinese pronoun that can mean “his,” “her,” “its,” or “that.” In this context, it acts as a pointer, referring to “that” or “the” preceding concept.
• 实 (shí): This character means “real,” “true,” “solid,” or “fact.” You'll see it in other words like 事实 (shìshí) - a fact, and 实在 (shízài) - really, honest.
• Together, 其实 (qíshí) literally translates to “its reality” or “that which is real.” This beautifully captures its function: to introduce the real state of affairs.

In Western culture, particularly in American English, the word “actually” can sometimes carry a slightly confrontational or pedantic tone. It can sound like you are bluntly correcting someone (“Actually, that's incorrect”). In Chinese culture, 其实 (qíshí) serves a much softer, more harmonious function. It is deeply connected to the concept of 面子 (miànzi) - face, or social dignity. Using 其实 is a gentle way to present a contrasting fact without directly stating, “You are wrong.” Instead, you are framing it as, “Here is some additional information” or “The real situation is this.” For example, if a friend assumes you're an expert at cooking because you made one nice dish, you might say:

其实我不太会做饭。
(Qíshí wǒ bù tài huì zuòfàn.)
“Actually, I'm not very good at cooking.”

This isn't about proving them wrong; it's about humbly clarifying the situation and managing expectations, thereby saving face for both parties. It softens the contradiction and keeps the conversation smooth and harmonious, a key value in Chinese social interaction.

其实 is ubiquitous in daily conversation, from casual chats on WeChat to more formal discussions. It's almost always placed at the beginning of a clause, typically after the subject. The main uses are:

• Correcting a Misconception: This is its most common function. You use it to correct an assumption someone has made about you, a situation, or a fact.
• Revealing a Hidden Truth or Feeling: Used to contrast an outer appearance with an inner reality. For example, someone might look happy, but you know the truth is different.
• Adding a Contrasting Point: You can use it to introduce a downside to something that seems good, or an upside to something that seems bad.
• Polite Refusal or Disagreement: It can soften the blow of saying “no” or disagreeing with an opinion.

Its connotation is generally neutral and its formality is very flexible, fitting in both very informal and semi-formal contexts.

• Example 1: Correcting a simple assumption.
  • 他看起来很年轻，其实已经五十岁了。
  • Pinyin: Tā kànqǐlái hěn niánqīng, qíshí yǐjīng wǔshí suì le.
  • English: He looks very young, but actually, he's already 50 years old.
  • Analysis: A classic use of 其实 to contrast appearance with reality. The first clause sets up the assumption (“he looks young”), and the second clause uses 其实 to reveal the surprising truth.
• Example 2: Clarifying one's own situation.
  • 很多人以为我是北京人，其实我是上海人。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō rén yǐwéi wǒ shì Běijīng rén, qíshí wǒ shì Shànghǎi rén.
  • English: A lot of people think I'm from Beijing, but in fact, I'm from Shanghai.
  • Analysis: This is a perfect example of a gentle, personal correction. You're not saying “You're wrong,” but rather “Here's the real story.”
• Example 3: Revealing inner feelings.
  • 我嘴上说没事，其实心里有点难过。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuǐ shàng shuō méi shì, qíshí xīnlǐ yǒudiǎn nánguò.
  • English: I said out loud that it was nothing, but actually, I was a little sad inside.
  • Analysis: 其实 is used here to show the contrast between spoken words (or outward behavior) and true feelings.
• Example 4: Expressing a contrary opinion about a subject.
  • 我以为中文会很难，其实学起来很有意思。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yǐwéi Zhōngwén huì hěn nán, qíshí xué qǐlái hěn yǒu yìsi.
  • English: I thought Chinese would be very difficult, but actually, it's very interesting to learn.
  • Analysis: This sentence structure “I thought X, but actually Y” is extremely common with 其实.
• Example 5: Adding a contrasting point or a downside.
  • 这家餐厅很有名，其实味道很一般。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā cāntīng hěn yǒumíng, qíshí wèidào hěn yībān.
  • English: This restaurant is very famous, but actually, the taste is just average.
  • Analysis: Here, 其实 introduces a reality that contradicts the expectation set by “very famous.”
• Example 6: Making a suggestion by revealing a hidden fact.
  • A: 我们打车去吧。 (Wǒmen dǎchē qù ba. - Let's take a taxi.)
  • B: 其实走路只要十分钟，很近的。 (Qíshí zǒulù zhǐyào shí fēnzhōng, hěn jìn de. - Actually, it's only a ten-minute walk, it's very close.)
  • Analysis: Person B uses 其实 to provide new information (it's a short walk) that gently contradicts the need for a taxi.
• Example 7: Politely declining something.
  • 谢谢你的饼干，其实我不太喜欢吃甜的。
  • Pinyin: Xièxie nǐ de bǐnggān, qíshí wǒ bù tài xǐhuān chī tián de.
  • English: Thank you for the cookies, but to be honest, I don't really like eating sweet things.
  • Analysis: 其实 softens the refusal. Instead of a blunt “I don't want them,” it provides a gentle reason, making the rejection less personal.
• Example 8: Revealing the 'real' reason for something.
  • 他说他很忙，其实他就是不想来。
  • Pinyin: Tā shuō tā hěn máng, qíshí tā jiùshì bùxiǎng lái.
  • English: He said he was busy; in reality, he just didn't want to come.
  • Analysis: 其实 is used here to expose the true motivation behind a stated excuse.
• Example 9: In a more complex sentence about cost.
  • 这件衣服看起来很贵，其实打折后很便宜。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiàn yīfu kànqǐlái hěn guì, qíshí dǎzhé hòu hěn piányi.
  • English: This piece of clothing looks very expensive, but actually, after the discount, it was very cheap.
  • Analysis: Another example of appearance vs. reality, a core function of 其实.
• Example 10: Self-correction or clarifying one's thoughts.
  • 我想去，嗯……其实我还是待在家里吧。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng qù, en… qíshí wǒ háishì dāi zài jiālǐ ba.
  • English: I want to go, um… actually, I think I'll just stay home.
  • Analysis: Here, the speaker uses 其实 to pivot from their initial thought to their final decision, signaling a change of mind.

• Placement is Key: A common mistake for learners is misplacing 其实. It almost always comes at the beginning of the clause it modifies, right after the subject or at the very beginning of the sentence.
  • Correct: 他 其实 不喜欢这个工作。 (Tā qíshí bù xǐhuān zhège gōngzuò.)
  • Incorrect: 他不喜欢这个工作 其实。
• 其实 vs. 真的 (zhēn de): Don't confuse 其实 with 真的 (zhēn de).
  • 真的 (zhēn de) means “really” or “truly” and is used for emphasis. (e.g., 这个菜真的很好吃! - This dish is really delicious!)
  • 其实 (qíshí) is used for contrast. It implies a “but…” or “contrary to what you think…”. (e.g., 我以为会不好吃，其实很好吃。- I thought it would be bad, but actually it's delicious.) You wouldn't use 其实 for simple emphasis.
• Not Always a “False Friend”: While “actually” in English can sometimes sound aggressive, it often functions identically to 其实. The key is to remember the cultural preference for indirectness in Chinese. Using 其实 is almost always the safer, more polite choice when correcting someone or presenting a contrasting view.

• 原来 (yuánlái) - “As it turns out,” “so…”. This expresses the speaker's sudden realization of a new fact. 其实 states a fact; 原来 describes the moment you discover it.
• 本来 (běnlái) - “Originally,” “at first.” This describes the original state of something, which may have changed.
• 事实上 (shìshí shàng) - “In fact,” “as a matter of fact.” A more formal and literal equivalent of 其实, often used in writing or more serious discussions.
• 说真的 (shuō zhēn de) - “Honestly,” “to tell the truth.” Similar to 其实 but more focused on expressing a frank personal opinion rather than just a fact.
• 到底 (dàodǐ) - “In the end,” “after all.” Primarily used in questions to get to the bottom of something (e.g., 你到底想怎么样? - What on earth do you want?). It shows impatience or a strong desire for a final answer, unlike 其实.
• 反而 (fǎn'ér) - “On the contrary,” “instead.” Used to express a result that is the opposite of what one would expect. It's stronger and more focused on the unexpected outcome than 其实.