着实

• Pinyin: zhuó shí
• Hanzi breakdown: 着 = 羊 + 目 (truly); 实 = 宀 + 头 (real)

Meaning

Indeed; truly; really; quite. An adverb emphasizing the genuineness or intensity of something.

Used to emphasize that something is genuine, significant, or noteworthy. Can express surprise or acknowledgment of degree. More literary than 确实 or 真的, often used in written Chinese.

Examples

1. 这道题着实难住了我。 That problem really stumped me.
2. 她的进步着实让人惊喜。 Her progress has truly been a pleasant surprise.
3. 今天的天气着实不错。 The weather is really nice today.

Usage Guide

Context: writing, emphasis, acknowledgment

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 这次失败着实给了我们一个教训。(This failure truly taught us a lesson.)
• 他的厨艺着实了得。(His cooking skills are truly impressive.)

Don't Say

• 我着实饿了 — sounds overly literary; use 真的 or 确实 in casual speech

Origin & History

着 (truly, applied) + 实 (real, solid)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal