Meaning
确实 means 'indeed' or 'really' when used as an adverb to confirm or emphasize that something is true. As an adjective, it can mean 'reliable' or 'authentic'. It's commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese to affirm facts or acknowledge truth in what someone has said.
Usage
Native speakers use 确实 to strongly confirm something, often in response to a statement or to emphasize personal certainty. It's more formal than 真的 (zhēn de) but less formal than literary terms. Common in phrases like '确实如此' (that's exactly so) and often appears at the beginning of sentences to acknowledge agreement.
Examples
- 01这个消息确实让人吃惊。.This news is indeed surprising.
- 02你说得对，他确实很努力。, .You're right, he really does work hard.
Characters
Common collocations
- 确实如此that's exactly so
- 确实是it really is
- 确实不错indeed quite good
- 确实存在really exists
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters reinforce the meaning of certainty and truth. 确 originally meant 'firm' or 'solid' (related to stone), while 实 means 'real' or 'solid', so together they emphasize genuine truth or reliability.