really

/ˈriːəli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈriːəli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈrē-(ə-)lē/ (ame, mw) · /ˈrɪə.li/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈriː.ə.li/ (ame, ipa)

really — adverb

1. Used to show what is true in a situation, especially when people may have a diff

1.副詞A1
釋義

Used to show what is true in a situation, especially when people may have a different idea about what is true.

例句

People think our town is boring, but really it has a lot to offer.

sentence adverb at start of contrast clause

The two bags look the same, but really they are made from different materials.

同義詞
  • actually

    more common than 'really' when correcting a false belief

  • in fact

    slightly more formal; often introduces a fuller explanation

  • in reality

    stronger contrast between appearance and truth; more formal

反義詞
  • supposedly

    describes what people believe rather than what is true

文法句型

really + [clause]

really before main verb (especially 'be')

用法筆記

In this sense, 'really' modifies the whole sentence and often appears at the beginning of a clause that contrasts with what was just said.

常見錯誤

❌I really finished the work on time.
✅I actually finished the work on time.
💡When you mean 'in fact' to clarify what happened, use 'actually' before the verb. 'Really' before a main verb usually means 'very much' (sense 3).
❌Really, it is not a problem.' (when meaning 'truly')
✅It really is not a problem.
💡For the 'in fact' meaning, 'really' works best at the start of a clause or before 'be'; before other main verbs it can sound like the intensifier sense.

2. Used to make a statement or opinion stronger, showing that you are very sure abo

2.副詞A1
釋義

Used to make a statement or opinion stronger, showing that you are very sure about what you are saying.

例句

I really believe that Sumin made the right choice.

I really + [verb of belief]

We really need to leave now or we will miss the train.

同義詞
  • truly

    more formal; often used in written English

  • honestly

    emphasises sincerity and truthfulness

  • certainly

    focuses on the speaker's confidence rather than the statement's truth

文法句型

I/we really + [verb]

really + [verb]

really, + [clause]

用法筆記

This sense works with almost any main verb. It is especially common in affirmative statements where the speaker wants to show strong feeling about what they are saying.

常見錯誤

❌I really don't mind if you come or not.' (when you mean you truly don't care)
✅I honestly don't mind.
💡'Really' with a negative can weaken the statement instead of strengthening it; 'honestly' works better for sincerity.
❌Do you really think so?' (when asking a polite question)
✅Do you honestly think so?
💡In polite questions, 'honestly' sounds more natural than 'really'.

3. Used before an adjective or another adverb to make it stronger, meaning 'very' o

3.副詞A2
釋義

Used before an adjective or another adverb to make it stronger, meaning 'very' or 'to a large degree'.

例句

The soup was really hot, so Jabari waited for it to cool down.

really + adjective

Noor drives really carefully when the roads are wet.

really + adverb

同義詞
  • very

    slightly weaker than 'really' in spoken English; more neutral

  • extremely

    stronger than 'really'; more formal

  • so

    informal; common in everyday speech

反義詞
  • slightly

    means 'to a small degree', the opposite of 'to a large degree'

文法句型

really + [adjective]

really + [adverb]

用法筆記

This sense must be followed by an adjective (e.g. 'really big') or an adverb (e.g. 'really quickly'). It cannot modify a noun or a verb on its own.

常見錯誤

❌That is a really good.
✅That is really good.' or 'That is a really good book.
💡'Really' cannot modify a noun phrase ending in an adjective alone; it needs the noun to follow the adjective phrase.

❌ 'I really like it.' (when you mean 'very much') — This is actually correct in informal English, but 'really' before a verb is the EMHATIC sense (sense 2), not the INTENSIFIER sense. The INTENSIFIER sense only goes before adjectives and adverbs.

really — exclamation