“Actually” in Chinese – qíshí

Grammar Point:
The Chinese word 其實实 qíshí is an adverb that is used to convey a contrast between reality and what was previously mentioned or assumed. It’s often translated as “actually,” “in fact,” or “in reality” in English.

Structure

(Mentioned or assumed + S) + qíshí + fact

我wǒ以為yǐwéi中文zhōngwén很hěn難nán， 可是kěshì其實qíshí用yòng對duì方法fāngfǎ也yě可以kěyǐ很hěn簡單jiǎndān我wǒ以为yǐwéi中文zhōngwén很hěn难nán， 可是kěshì其实qíshí用yòng对duì方法fāngfǎ也yě可以kěyǐ很hěn简单jiǎndān
I thought Chinese was difficult, but it’s actually quite simple with the right approach.

我wǒ其實qíshí在zài減肥jiǎnféi， 今天jīntiān的de奶茶nǎichá不用búyòng算suàn我的wǒde了le我wǒ其实qíshí在zài减肥jiǎnféi， 今天jīntiān的de奶茶nǎichá不用búyòng算suàn我的wǒde了le
I’m actually on a diet, so today’s milk tea don’t count me in.

她tā雖然suīrán不bú太tài愛ài說話shuōhuà， 可是kěshì其實qíshí人rén很好hěnhǎo她tā虽然suīrán不bú太tài爱ài说话shuōhuà， 可是kěshì其实qíshí人rén很好hěnhǎo
Even though she doesn’t talk much, she’s actually a very kind person.

我wǒ以前yǐqián覺得juéde一定yídìng要yào結婚jiéhūn， 但是dànshì其實qíshí一個人yígerén也yě可以kěyǐ過guò得de很好hěnhǎo我wǒ以前yǐqián觉得juéde一定yídìng要yào结婚jiéhūn， 但是dànshì其实qíshí一个人yígerén也yě可以kěyǐ过guò得de很好hěnhǎo
I used to think I had to get married, but in reality, one can also live well on their own.

小米xiǎomǐ的de東西dōngxī其實qíshí比bǐ我wǒ想xiǎng的de好用hǎoyòng很多hěnduō小米xiǎomǐ的de东西dōngxi其实qíshí比bǐ我wǒ想xiǎng的de好用hǎoyòng很多hěnduō
Xiaomi’s products are actually much better than I thought.

FYI
You might know it as Xiaomi. It’s a Chinese tech company that’s been creating quite a stir worldwide. With a variety of products like smart TVs, fitness bands, smart home gadgets, and more, they truly focus on delivering quality and, most importantly, affordability. They’ve captured the attention of people globally. So, are you thinking of getting yourself a Xiaomi product? The best part is, their prices are incredibly budget-friendly.

她tā其實qíshí不是búshì我wǒ姐姐jiějie是shì我wǒ女朋友nǚpéngyǒu她tā其实qíshí不是búshì我wǒ姐姐jiějie是shì我wǒ女朋友nǚpéngyou
She’s not my sister, she’s actually my girlfriend.

你nǐ已經yǐjīng出門chūmén了le嗎ma？ 其實qíshí我wǒ現在xiànzài不bú太tài舒服shūfú， 我wǒ想xiǎng取消qǔxiāo今天jīntiān的de見面jiànmiàn你nǐ已经yǐjīng出门chūmén了le吗ma？ 其实qíshí我wǒ现在xiànzài不bú太tài舒服shūfu， 我wǒ想xiǎng取消qǔxiāo今天jīntiān的de见面jiànmiàn
Have you left already? Actually, I’m not feeling very well now. I’d like to cancel our meeting for today.

Practice

TouchHover over the space to see the answers.

✔️ His English is actually very good; he’s just being modest.

他tā英文yīngwén其實qíshí很hěn好hǎo， 他tā只是zhǐshì謙虛qiānxū他tā英文yīngwén其实qíshí很hěn好hǎo， 他tā只是zhǐshì谦虚qiānxū

✔️ You actually don’t need to know Chinese at all to live in Taipei.

你nǐ完全wánquán不會búhuì說shuō中文zhōngwén其實qíshí也yě還是háishì可以kěyǐ在zài台北táiběi生活shēnghuó你nǐ完全wánquán不会búhuì说shuō中文zhōngwén其实qíshí也yě还是háishì可以kěyǐ在zài台北táiběi生活shēnghuó

✔️ I actually find creating this website quite troublesome. 😮‍💨

我wǒ其實qíshí覺得juéde做zuò這個zhège網站wǎngzhàn很hěn麻煩máfán我wǒ其实qíshí觉得juéde做zuò这个zhège网站wǎngzhàn很hěn麻烦máfán