Explanation at your level:
You use 着实 to say 'really'. If you see a big cake, you can say 'The cake is 着实 big!' It helps you show how you feel.
At this level, you can use 着实 to describe things more clearly. Instead of just saying 'It is good,' you say 'It is 着实 good,' which means 'truly good.' It makes your sentences sound much more natural.
You are now using 着实 to add nuance. It is great for expressing your opinion on events. For example, 'The exam was 着实 hard.' It shows you have thought about the difficulty.
Here, 着实 helps you express objective assessments. You might use it in a professional email or a thoughtful discussion to emphasize a point. It signals to the listener that you are speaking with sincerity and care.
At the advanced level, you use 着实 to balance your writing. It acts as a bridge between a casual observation and a formal claim. It is excellent for literary critiques or expressing deep appreciation for a complex situation.
Mastery of 着实 involves understanding its subtle weight. It is used to convey a sense of 'grounded reality.' In high-level discourse, it emphasizes that a conclusion is reached after careful consideration, adding a layer of intellectual honesty to your rhetoric.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means 'truly' or 'really'.
- Used to emphasize adjectives or verbs.
- Neutral register, very common.
- No 'de' particle needed.
着实 (zhuó shí) is a fantastic adverb to add to your Chinese toolkit! When you use this word, you are telling the listener that something is truly or genuinely the case. It carries a bit more weight than a simple 'very' (很).
Think of it as a way to emphasize your point with sincerity. If you say something is '着实不错' (truly not bad), you aren't just being polite; you are giving a thoughtful, honest compliment. It is a great way to sound more natural and expressive in your daily conversations.
The word 着实 has deep roots in the Chinese language. The character '着' (zhuó) often relates to 'touching' or 'applying,' while '实' (shí) means 'solid,' 'real,' or 'honest.'
Historically, the combination evolved to describe something that 'touches reality' or is 'solidly grounded.' Over centuries, it moved from a literal description of something being firm to an adverbial use describing the intensity or truthfulness of an action or state. It reflects the Chinese cultural value of being down-to-earth and honest in one's assessments.
You will find 着实 used most often in descriptive contexts. It pairs beautifully with adjectives to show a high degree of something. Common pairings include 着实令人惊讶 (truly surprising) or 着实不容易 (truly not easy).
It sits comfortably in both spoken and written Chinese. While it is not slang, it is slightly more sophisticated than basic intensifiers, making it perfect for when you want to sound thoughtful or articulate. Use it when you want to emphasize that your observation is based on real facts.
While 着实 is an adverb, it appears in many expressive phrases. 1. 着实可敬 (truly respectable). 2. 着实让人佩服 (truly makes one admire). 3. 着实费力 (truly labor-intensive). 4. 着实不简单 (truly not simple/impressive). 5. 着实难办 (truly difficult to handle). These phrases help you express complex feelings with just a few characters.
Pronounced zhuó shí, the first character is in the second tone (rising) and the second is in the second tone. It functions as an adverb, typically placed before an adjective or a verb phrase.
Unlike some adverbs, it doesn't usually take a 'de' (的/地) particle after it when modifying adjectives directly. It is a very stable word that doesn't change form, making it quite easy for learners to master once they get the rhythm of the two rising tones!
Fun Fact
It combines 'touching' and 'reality'.
Pronunciation Guide
Standard Mandarin tones.
Standard Mandarin tones.
Common Errors
- Incorrect tone on zhuo
- Incorrect tone on shi
- Slurring the two words
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to write
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adverb placement
着实 + Adj
Tone rules
zhuó shí
Emphasis
着实 + Adj
Examples by Level
这个苹果着实很大。
This apple is truly big.
Adverb + Adjective
这次旅行着实很有趣。
他着实是一个好人。
这道菜着实好吃。
天气着实太热了。
这个消息着实让人开心。
他的工作着实很辛苦。
这个问题着实难住了我。
我们着实等了很久。
这件事着实让我感到意外。
他的努力着实令人感动。
这个决定着实不容易做。
这栋房子着实漂亮。
他的进步着实很快。
这出戏着实精彩。
这个建议着实有道理。
他着实是个天才。
这项任务着实具有挑战性。
他的演讲着实鼓舞人心。
这番话着实说到了我的心坎里。
这一变化着实出乎意料。
这个项目着实耗费精力。
他的诚实着实令人敬佩。
这片风景着实迷人。
这笔开销着实不小。
这一发现着实改变了我们的认知。
他的理论着实具有前瞻性。
这起事件着实引发了社会关注。
这一结果着实令人深思。
他的才华着实不容小觑。
这一安排着实考虑周全。
这一困难着实考验着我们的耐心。
他的回应着实显得专业。
他的叙述着实还原了历史真相。
这一举措着实体现了深远的战略眼光。
这番辩论着实展现了他的逻辑功底。
这一现象着实值得学术界深入探讨。
他的艺术造诣着实达到了巅峰。
这一转折着实让剧情变得扑朔迷离。
这番心意着实令人动容。
这一成就着实是多年苦功的结晶。
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"着实可敬"
Truly worthy of respect.
他的奉献精神着实可敬。
formal"着实不简单"
Truly impressive/not simple.
年纪轻轻就有这成就，着实不简单。
neutral"着实让人佩服"
Truly makes one admire.
他的毅力着实让人佩服。
neutral"着实费心"
Truly took a lot of effort/thought.
这份礼物着实费心了。
neutral"着实难得"
Truly rare/precious.
能有这样的机会着实难得。
formal"着实令人深思"
Truly makes one think deeply.
这个现象着实令人深思。
formalEasily Confused
Both mean truly.
着实 is more emotive.
着实不错 vs 确实不错.
Both imply reality.
实在 can mean 'honest'.
他很实在.
Both mean really.
真的 is very casual.
真的吗?
Both mean indeed.
的确 is more formal.
的确如此.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 着实 + Adjective
这天着实热。
Subject + 着实 + Verb
我着实想你。
着实 + 令人 + Adjective
着实令人高兴。
着实 + 有 + Noun
着实有道理。
着实 + 不 + Adjective
着实不简单。
Word Family
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
It describes verbs or adjectives, not things.
It is an adverb, not an adjective modifier.
It is an intensifier; too much makes it lose impact.
Learners often use them interchangeably without feeling the nuance.
Adverbs must precede the word they modify.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a 'real' (Shi) object you 'touch' (Zhuo).
Native Usage
Use it when you want to sound sincere.
Cultural Insight
It reflects the value of honesty.
Grammar Shortcut
Always before the adjective.
Say It Right
Focus on the rising tones.
Don't add 'de'
Avoid '着实的'.
Did You Know?
It means 'touching reality'.
Study Smart
Pair it with adjectives you know.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Zhuo (touch) + Shi (real) = Touching reality = Truly.
Visual Association
A person touching a solid rock, confirming it is real.
Word Web
Challenge
Use it 3 times today!
Word Origin
Chinese
Original meaning: Solidly grounded/real.
Cultural Context
None.
Equivalent to 'truly' or 'really'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- 着实不容易
- 着实有挑战
- 着实需要
At school
- 着实难懂
- 着实有趣
- 着实进步
Traveling
- 着实漂亮
- 着实好玩
- 着实累
Daily life
- 着实好吃
- 着实想念
- 着实开心
Conversation Starters
"你觉得今天的天气着实怎么样？"
"你最近有遇到什么着实让你开心的事吗？"
"你觉得学中文着实难吗？"
"你有没有吃过什么着实好吃的东西？"
"你觉得这个电影着实好看吗？"
Journal Prompts
Describe a day that was着实 busy.
Write about a person who is着实 kind.
What is something that着实 surprised you?
Reflect on a goal that was着实 hard to reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt is neutral and fits most contexts.
No, it replaces 'very'.
No, it is great for speaking too.
Zhuo (2nd tone) Shi (2nd tone).
Yes, but '着实' is more descriptive.
Yes, '着实难办'.
No, it is an adverb.
Yes, very common in educated speech.
Test Yourself
这个苹果___很大。
着实 is the adverb for truly.
Which means 'truly good'?
Adverb comes first.
着实 can be used as a noun.
It is an adverb.
Word
Meaning
Direct translation.
Subject + Adverb + Verb + Adj.
Score: /5
Summary
着实 is your go-to word for adding sincere emphasis to your observations.
- Means 'truly' or 'really'.
- Used to emphasize adjectives or verbs.
- Neutral register, very common.
- No 'de' particle needed.
Memory Palace
Imagine a 'real' (Shi) object you 'touch' (Zhuo).
Native Usage
Use it when you want to sound sincere.
Cultural Insight
It reflects the value of honesty.
Grammar Shortcut
Always before the adjective.
Related Content
More general words
一下儿
A1a bit, a moment
点儿
A1a little bit
有点儿
A1a little, somewhat (negative connotation)
一下
A2A bit; a moment (used after a verb).
异样
B1different; unusual; strange
关于
A1about, concerning
快要
A2to be about to (happen)
大约
B1Used to show that a number or amount is not exact; approximately.
上边
A2above, on top
上面
A1on, above, over
