noun / adjective HSK 5
Traditional 紀實
shí
documentary · record of actual events · factual account · non-fiction

Meaning

纪实 refers to content that records or depicts real events, people, or situations as they actually occurred, without fictional embellishment. It emphasizes authenticity and factual accuracy, commonly used to describe documentary films, reportage, or journalistic works that present reality rather than imagination.

Usage

Frequently appears in compound words like 纪实文学 (documentary literature) or 纪实片 (documentary film). It carries a tone of seriousness and credibility, indicating that what is presented is based on real facts. Common in media, journalism, and literary contexts. Can function as both a noun (a documentary work) and an adjective (documentary-style, factual).

Examples

  1. 01
    这部纪实片真实地记录了农民工的生活。
    Zhè shí piàn zhēn shí de le nóng mín gōng de shēng huó.
    This documentary authentically records the lives of migrant workers.
  2. 02
    他的纪实摄影作品在国际上获得了很高的评价。
    de shí shè yǐng zuò pǐn zài guó shàng huò le hěn gāo de píng jià.
    His documentary photography works have received high acclaim internationally.

Characters

Measure words

  • 一部纪实片
  • piān一篇纪实文章

Common collocations

  • 纪实文学
    shí wén xué
    documentary literature, literary reportage
  • 纪实
    shí piàn
    documentary film
  • 纪实摄影
    shí shè yǐng
    documentary photography
  • 纪实作品
    shí zuò pǐn
    documentary work, non-fiction work

Antonyms

Origin

The compound combines 纪 (to record) with 实 (reality/truth), literally meaning 'recording reality' or 'chronicling what is real.' This straightforward construction reflects the term's purpose: to document actual events rather than fictional narratives.

Related