in real life

in real life — idiom

1. used when talking about things as they actually happen or exist, rather than in

1.慣用語B1
釋義

used when talking about things as they actually happen or exist, rather than in stories, films, imagination, or online spaces

例句

Sumin seems loud and confident on video calls, but in real life she barely speaks.

contrast: online persona vs real-life behaviour

The documentary showed a peaceful jungle; in real life, it swarmed with biting insects.

同義詞
  • in reality

    more formal; often corrects a mistaken belief

  • in actual fact

    emphatic and slightly argumentative; used to set the record straight

  • in practice

    focuses on how things work versus how theory says they should

  • actually

    more flexible single-word adverb but lacks the vivid contrast imagery

反義詞
  • in theory

    according to an idea or plan, not tested against real conditions

  • on screen

    as shown in films, television, or video, not in physical life

用法筆記

Often abbreviated as 'IRL' in text messages and online posts. When it opens a sentence, 'in real life' signals a sharp contrast — what came before belongs to fiction, online spaces, or imagination, and what follows is the actual-world version.

常見錯誤

❌I met him in the real life.
✅I met him in real life.
💡no article 'the' is used before 'real life' in this phrase.
❌In real life, I think it's a bad idea.' (when no contrast is being made)
✅Honestly, I think it's a bad idea.
💡'in real life' needs an explicit or implied contrast with something unreal or hypothetical; don't use it as a general intensifier.