Expressing "really" with "zhen"

The word 真 (zhēn) basically means "really," "truly," or "indeed." In English, one might ask "really?" as in "did that truly happen?" In cases such as these, 真 is used to express and emphasize the truth of a fact that's been stated.

真 before an Adjective

Structure

真 (zhēn) is used only in exclamatory sentences and comes before an adjective.

真 + Adj.

Example

  • 好!zhēn hǎo!You are so nice!
  • 你 女朋友 漂亮!Nǐ nǚpéngyou zhēn piàoliang! Your girlfriend is so beautiful!
  • 他 家 有钱!Tā jiā zhēn yǒuqián! His family is so rich!
  • 小狗 可爱!Xiǎogǒu zhēn kě'ài! This puppy is adorable!
  • 今天 热!Jīntiān zhēn rè! It's really hot today!

真 before an Emotional Verb or 能 / 会

Structure

真 + Verb

Example

  • 你 妈妈 爱 你!Nǐ māma zhēn ài nǐ! Your mother really loves you!
  • 喜欢 住 在 中国!zhēn xǐhuan zhù zài Zhōngguó! I really like living in China!
  • 讨厌 这 种 男人!zhēn tǎoyàn zhè zhǒng nánrén! I really hate this kind of guy!
  • 会 说话!zhēn huì shuōhuà! You are so good with words!
  • 能 吃!zhēn néng chī! You ate so much!

See Also

Sources and further reading

Books