사실 — meaning in English: Actually

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복잡한

bogjabhan

지난

jinan

국가

gugga

사실

sasil

의지

uiji

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neutral common

Usage

Native speakers often use '사실' in conversations to clarify or emphasize the truth of a statement, especially when revealing surprising information. For instance, during a discussion about a movie, one might say, '사실, I didn’t like the ending,' to introduce a contrasting opinion.

Synonyms & nuances

'사실' is often compared to '정말' (jeongmal), which means 'really' or 'truly.' While '정말' emphasizes sincerity, '사실' is used to present factual information or clarify a misconception. Choose '사실' when you want to highlight the truthfulness of a statement.

Culture

The word '사실' has roots in the Hanja characters '事' (matter) and '實' (truth), reflecting its meaning of 'actuality' or 'truth'. In Korean culture, discussing '사실' can sometimes lead to deeper conversations, as it implies a desire for honesty and transparency, which is highly valued in interpersonal relationships.

FAQ

Q.What does the Korean word '사실' mean?

'사실' translates to 'actually' in English, and it's used to introduce factual information or clarify misunderstandings in a conversation.

Q.How do you use '사실' in a sentence?

You can use '사실' at the beginning of a statement, such as '사실, 나는 그 영화를 보지 않았다,' meaning 'Actually, I didn’t watch that movie.' This structure helps to emphasize the contrast with previous statements.

Q.Are there common mistakes when using '사실'?

A common mistake is placing '사실' in the wrong part of the sentence. It should typically be at the beginning or directly before the clause it modifies, to effectively convey the intended meaning.

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