当真

• Pinyin: dàng zhēn
• Hanzi breakdown: 当 = 当 (regard as); 真 = 十 + 目 + 八 (true)

Meaning

To take seriously; to believe as true. As an adverb, really, actually, indeed.

Can mean treating something as real when it might be a joke, or as an adverb emphasizing that something is genuinely true. Context determines whether it questions or affirms authenticity.

Examples

1. 你别当真，我只是开个玩笑。 Don’t take it seriously—I’m just joking.
2. 他当真以为自己能赢得比赛。 He actually thought he could win the competition.
3. 这件事当真发生了，不是编造的。 This really happened—it wasn’t made up.

Usage Guide

Context: warnings, emphasis, reactions

Tone: varies

Do Say

• 你说的话我可是当真的。(I am taking what you said seriously.)
• 这部小说改编自当真发生的事件。(This novel is adapted from events that actually happened.)

Don't Say

• 我当真假的事情 — contradictory; 当真 means treating as real, not treating real things as fake

Origin & History

当 (regard as) + 真 (real/true)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal