核实

• Pinyin: hé shí
• Hanzi breakdown: 核 = 木 + 亥 (to examine/verify); 实 = 宀 (roof) + 贯 simplified (substance/reality/truth)

Meaning

To verify; to ascertain the truth of. To confirm that a claim, fact, or piece of information is accurate through investigation or authoritative confirmation.

Used in journalism, law, diplomacy, intelligence, and official communications. 核实 implies a rigorous, authoritative verification process — going to the source to confirm something is true. More formal and rigorous than 核对 (cross-check) or 确认 (confirm). Appears in expressions like 经核实 (upon verification) and 无法核实 (cannot be verified), common in news reporting.

Examples

1. 记者在刊发报道前，已向三位独立信源核实了相关事实，确保报道真实准确。 Before publishing the report, the journalist verified the relevant facts with three independent sources to ensure the story was accurate.
2. 外交部发言人表示，目前尚无法核实相关方面的说法，有待进一步调查核查。 A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the claims cannot yet be verified and require further investigation and review.
3. 司法机关对证人证词进行了全面核实，排除了伪证的可能后才正式采信。 Judicial authorities thoroughly verified the witness testimony and only formally accepted it after ruling out the possibility of perjury.

Usage Guide

Context: journalism, law, diplomacy, intelligence, official communications

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 该媒体已就事件的关键细节向政府主管部门进行了核实，得到了官方的书面确认。(The media outlet has verified the key details of the incident with the competent government authorities and received official written confirmation.)
• 在出具正式鉴定报告前，专家组对所有相关样本进行了反复核实，以确保结论的可靠性。(Before issuing the formal appraisal report, the expert panel repeatedly verified all relevant samples to ensure the reliability of the conclusions.)

Don't Say

• 核实 for routine checking of minor details — use 确认 for everyday confirmation; 核实 implies a rigorous investigative process and should be reserved for contexts where accuracy is formally required

Origin & History

核 (to examine; verify at the core) + 实 (real; actual; truth)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal