thật sự
Definition
Adverb:
- Really / Truly / Actually: Used to emphasize the truth, sincerity, or factual nature of a statement, often contrasting with appearance or assumption.
- Genuinely: Used to indicate that a feeling, quality, or state is authentic and not pretended.
Adjective (Attributive):
- Real / True / Genuine: Describes a noun as being authentic, not false or imaginary. Often precedes the noun it modifies.
Usage Examples
Adverb:
- Tôi thật sự không biết. (I really do not know.)
- Cô ấy thật sự rất tử tế. (She is genuinely very kind.)
- Anh ấy có thật sự đến không? (Is he actually coming?)
Adjective:
- Đây là một vấn đề thật sự. (This is a real problem.)
- Anh ấy muốn tìm tình yêu thật sự. (He wants to find true love.)
Advanced Usage
- Used for strong emphasis or correction in a statement.
- Tôi không giận. Thật sự! (I'm not angry. Really!)
- Nó trông khó nhưng thật sự thì rất dễ. (It looks difficult, but actually, it's very easy.)
Variants and Related Words
- Thực sự: This is a direct synonym with identical meaning and usage to "thật sự."
- Tôi thực sự ngạc nhiên. (I was truly surprised.)
Synonyms
- Really: Used to emphasize a statement.
- Truly: In accordance with truth or fact.
- Actually: As the truth or facts of a situation.
- Genuinely: In a truthful and sincere way.
Related Phrases
- Nói thật sự / Thật sự mà nói: To tell the truth / Frankly speaking. Used to introduce an honest opinion.
- Thật sự mà nói, tôi không thích kế hoạch đó. (Frankly speaking, I don't like that plan.)