really

/'riəli/

Học thuật

Thân thiện

A child is really excited to open a birthday present.

Definition

Adverb:
- Used as an intensifier: "really" is used to emphasize the truth, strength, or importance of an adjective, adverb, or verb. It often means "very" or "to a great degree."
- In truth, in fact, actually: "really" is used to state what is true or real, often contrasting with what is believed or appears to be the case.
- Used to express interest, surprise, doubt, or mild protest: "really" can function as a question or exclamation to show these reactions.

Usage Examples

As an intensifier:
- That was a really enjoyable evening. (The evening was very enjoyable.)
- He plays the piano really well. (He plays to a great degree of skill.)
To state truth or fact:
- I really am sorry about the mistake. (I am truly/actually sorry.)
- No one really saw what happened. (No one actually saw it.)
To express reaction:
- "I'm moving to Japan." "Really?" (Expressing surprise or seeking confirmation.)
- "You shouldn't really do that." (Expressing mild disapproval or stating what is truly advisable.)

Advanced Usage

"Not really": Used to soften a negative answer or express a qualified "no."
- "Are you hungry?" "Not really." (Meaning "not very" or "not exactly.")
"Really and truly": An emphatic phrase for absolute truth or sincerity.
- I really and truly believe in you. (I sincerely and completely believe.)
For emphasis in questions or negatives:
- What do you really think? (Asking for the true, underlying opinion.)
- They don't really understand us. (They do not truly/fully understand.)

Variants and Related Words

Real (adjective): Actually existing or occurring in fact. (Note: Informally, "real" is sometimes used as an adverb meaning "really," e.g., "I'm real tired," but "really" is the standard adverbial form.)
Reality (noun): The state of things as they actually exist.
Realistic (adjective): Having a sensible and practical idea of what can be achieved or representing things in a way that is accurate and true to life.

Synonyms

Related Phrases

"I really must...": Used to add emphasis to an obligation or intention.
- I really must go now. (I emphatically need to leave.)
"If you really want to...": Used to emphasize a condition or offer.
- I'll tell you, if you really want to know. (If you truly desire to know.)

Related Idioms

"Really and truly": As mentioned above, for strong emphasis on truth.
"The real thing": (Related concept) Something that is authentic and not an imitation. While not containing "really," it relates to the concept of genuineness.
- This isn't a copy; it's the real thing.

A child is really excited to open a birthday present.

Adverb

used as intensifiers; `real' is sometimes used informally for `really'; `rattling' is informal
- she was very gifted
- he played very well
- a really enjoyable evening
- I'm real sorry about it
- a rattling good yarn
in fact (used as intensifiers or sentence modifiers)
- in truth, moral decay hastened the decline of the Roman Empire
- really, you shouldn't have done it
- a truly awful book
in actual fact
- to be nominally but not actually independent
- no one actually saw the shark
- large meteorites actually come from the asteroid belt
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
- she was now truly American
- a genuinely open society
- they don't really listen to us

Từ đồng nghĩa