HSK Guide

真 zhēn — really, truly (expressing the speaker’s reaction)

zhēn (first tone, high and level)zhen1

really, truly (expressing the speaker’s reaction)

HSK 2· HSK 1–4 (classic)Level 2· Three-band, nine-level standardadverbadjective
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Meanings

  1. really, truly (expressing the speaker’s reaction)

    A degree adverb loaded with feeling: 这个菜真好吃 is an exclamation, not a measured judgement. Because it carries the speaker’s reaction, it fits statements rather than questions.

    adverb

  2. true, real, genuine

    adjective

Example sentences

  • 这个菜真好吃！這個菜真好吃！Zhège (fourth tone, falling) cài (fourth tone, falling) zhēn (first tone, high and level) hǎochī! (third tone, dipping)···

    This dish is really delicious!

  • 他真忙。Tā (first tone, high and level) zhēn (first tone, high and level) máng. (second tone, rising)···

    He really is busy.

Common mistakes

  • Not quite他真高吗？

    Correct他很高吗？

    真 voices the speaker’s own reaction, so it sits awkwardly in a question, where you are asking rather than reacting. Use the neutral 很 there.

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