真正

• Pinyin: zhēn zhèng
• Hanzi breakdown: 真 = 十 (ten) + 目 (eye) + 一 + 八, meaning 'true'; 正 = 一 (one) + 止 (stop), meaning 'correct'

Meaning

True; genuine; real. Emphasizes that something is authentic and not fake or superficial.

Used to stress authenticity, sincerity, or the core nature of something. Can modify nouns as an adjective or modify verbs as an adverb. Stronger and more emphatic than 真 alone.

Examples

1. 他是我真正的好朋友。 He is my true good friend.
2. 你真正想要的是什么？ What do you truly want?
3. 这才是真正的中国菜。 This is what real Chinese food is.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, expressive

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 她是一个真正的好人。(She is a truly good person.)
• 我想找到真正适合我的工作。(I want to find a job that truly suits me.)

Don't Say

• 这个苹果很真正。(Don't use 真正 as a predicate adjective after 很 — say 这个苹果是真的. 真正 typically modifies nouns.)

Origin & History

Compound of 真 (true/real) and 正 (correct/proper), together reinforcing the meaning of genuine authenticity.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal