facts
facts — 名詞
1. pieces of information that are known to be true because they can be checked or p
事實；真相
可被證實為真的資訊
pieces of information that are known to be true because they can be checked or proved, and which are accepted as real by most people.
The police gathered all the facts about the accident before writing the report.
警方在撰寫報告前，蒐集了所有關於這起事故的事實。
the facts + about + noun phrase (accident)
Before you argue, make sure you have checked the facts carefully.
爭論之前，請先仔細查證事實。
Amara's essay was full of facts and figures that supported her main argument.
Amara 的文章充滿了支持她主要論點的數據和事實。
Carbon dating confirmed that the wooden boat is over 2,000 years old — this is a verified historical fact.
碳定年法證實這艘木船已有超過兩千年的歷史——這是一個經過驗證的歷史事實。
The textbook presented the facts of the war in a clear and simple way.
這本教科書以清晰簡單的方式呈現了戰爭的史實。
- data
more technical; often refers to raw numbers or measurements rather than general true statements
- information
broader meaning; can include unverified or incomplete details
文法句型
the facts + about/of + noun phrase
the facts + that-clause
用法筆記
Unlike 'truth' (which can be abstract or subjective), 'facts' are things that can be verified by evidence or observation.
常見錯誤
2. used when speaking or writing to add a stronger or more exact statement, especia
事實上；其實
用於強調或修正前文
used when speaking or writing to add a stronger or more exact statement, especially one that corrects or contrasts with what was just said.
The exam looked difficult, but in fact it was quite easy.
考試看似困難，但事實上相當簡單。
discourse marker: in fact + contrasting clause
"Is this your first time in Taiwan?" "No, as a matter of fact, I come here every year."
「這是你第一次來台灣嗎？」「不，事實上我每年都來。」
dialogic use: as a matter of fact
Diego is not just a good singer; in fact, he trained at a music school in Milan.
Diego 不只是個好歌手；事實上，他曾在米蘭的一所音樂學校受訓。
People think the building is very old, but in fact it was built in 1995.
大家以為這棟建築很老舊，但事實上它是在 1995 年建造的。
The weather forecast said it would rain all weekend; in fact, we had three days of sunshine.
氣象預報說整個週末都會下雨；事實上，我們享受了三天的大晴天。
文法句型
in fact (,) + clause
as a matter of fact (,) + clause
用法筆記
This sense only appears in the fixed phrases 'in fact' and 'as a matter of fact'. It is not a standalone use of the noun 'facts'. Common in both spoken and written English to introduce a correction or an amplification.
常見錯誤
3. used to emphasise that a particular statement is true, especially when people mi
實情是；說到底
強調陳述的真實性
used to emphasise that a particular statement is true, especially when people might disagree, doubt it, or find it inconvenient.
Kenji says the plan is perfect, but the fact is that nobody checked the budget.
Kenji 說這個計畫很完美，但實情是根本沒人檢查預算。
the fact is + that-clause introducing inconvenient truth
Some parents think the school is safe; in point of fact, several accidents have happened this year.
有些家長認為學校很安全；事實上，今年已經發生了好幾起事故。
in point of fact (formal register)
We can argue all day, but the fact remains that we need to finish the project by Friday.
我們可以爭論一整天，但事實擺在眼前——我們必須在星期五之前完成專案。
Despite what people claim, the simple fact is that our city does not have enough hospitals.
不管大家怎麼說，簡單的事實是我們城市沒有足夠的醫院。
The fact of the matter is that we lost the contract because we were too slow.
問題的實情是，我們因為動作太慢而失去了那份合約。
- the truth is
similar meaning but slightly less confrontational; 'the fact is' sounds more definitive
- in reality
focuses on the real situation versus what people think or say
文法句型
the fact is + that-clause
in point of fact + clause
the fact remains + that-clause
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (IN FACT): that sense introduces a correction or contrast to a previous statement. This sense insists on the truth of a statement despite disagreement or avoidance. Cannot be replaced by 'as a matter of fact'.
常見錯誤
4. unpleasant but true aspects of a situation that people must accept even if they
殘酷現實
必須接受的痛苦實情
unpleasant but true aspects of a situation that people must accept even if they find them painful or difficult.
Fatima knew she had to face the facts: her small shop could not compete with the big supermarkets.
Fatima 明白她必須正視現實：她的小店無法與大型超市競爭。
fixed phrase: face the facts
Pavel needed many months before he could accept the facts about his father's illness.
Pavel 花了幾個月的時間，才終於接受父親生病的殘酷事實。
The team had to face the hard facts — they were simply not good enough to win the championship.
球隊不得不面對殘酷的現實——他們的實力根本不足以贏得冠軍。
After the election results came in, the candidate finally accepted the facts and congratulated her opponent.
選舉結果出爐後，候選人終於接受現實，向對手祝賀。
Parents sometimes struggle to accept the facts about their children's mistakes.
為人父母有時很難接受子女犯錯的事實。
- reality
the actual state of affairs; 'face reality' is a near-synonym of 'face the facts'
- delusion
a false belief that avoids unpleasant truth
文法句型
face the facts
the facts of life
用法筆記
Common in the fixed expression 'face the facts'. The facts in this sense are always unwelcome. Unlike sense 1 (PROVEN TRUTHS), these are not neutral information — they carry emotional weight because accepting them requires changing one's view or behaviour.
常見錯誤
5. the practical pieces of information about a specific subject that someone needs
詳情；細節
關於某主題的具體資訊
the practical pieces of information about a specific subject that someone needs in order to make a decision, prepare a task, or understand exactly what is involved.
Before buying a house, you should get all the facts about the neighbourhood and property prices.
買房子之前，你應該先了解關於社區和房價的所有具體資訊。
get the facts + about + topic
The travel website gave us the facts we needed about visa rules and local customs.
旅遊網站提供了我們需要的簽證規定和當地習俗等具體資料。
Elena spent the afternoon gathering the facts for her presentation on climate change.
Elena 花了一整個下午蒐集氣候變遷簡報所需的詳細資料。
The doctor explained all the facts about the treatment so that the patient could make an informed choice.
醫師向病人解釋了治療的所有細節，以便病人做出明智的選擇。
If you are thinking of studying abroad, learn the facts about tuition fees and scholarship options first.
如果你考慮出國留學，先了解關於學費和獎學金的具體資訊。
- details
less formal; can include less important specifics
- particulars
more formal; used in official or legal contexts
文法句型
the facts + about/of + topic
get/learn the facts
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (PROVEN TRUTHS): sense 1 asks 'is this statement true or false?', whereas this sense asks 'what specific details do I need for this decision or action?'. Use sense 5 when collecting practical details for a choice or task (e.g. loan rates, visa rules, treatment options); use sense 1 when discussing whether a broad statement is verifiably true (e.g. historical events, scientific findings).
常見錯誤
6. the details about sexual reproduction and how babies are born, especially when t
性知識
關於性的基本知識
the details about sexual reproduction and how babies are born, especially when these are explained to children for the first time.
When Olu asked where babies came from, his mother decided it was time to explain the facts of life.
當 Olu 問寶寶從哪裡來的時候，他媽媽決定是時候教他性知識了。
fixed phrase: the facts of life
The school invited a nurse to talk to the older students about the facts of life.
學校請了一位護理師來和高年級學生談性教育。
Many parents feel nervous when they sit down to teach their children the facts of life.
許多家長在坐下來教孩子性知識時會感到緊張。
The book explains the facts of life with clear drawings and simple language for young readers.
這本書用清晰的插圖和簡單的語言為年輕讀者講解了性方面的知識。
Grandpa joked that in his day, nobody ever talked about the facts of life at home.
爺爺開玩笑說，在他那個年代，家裡根本沒有人會談論性知識。
- sex education
the modern, broader term covering reproduction, relationships, and health; 'facts of life' is older and focuses specifically on reproduction
文法句型
the facts of life
用法筆記
Always used with the definite article: 'the facts of life'. This is a fixed idiom, not a productive use of the noun 'facts'. Cannot be broken up or modified (*'the basic facts of life' would revert to sense 4 meaning). Falling into disuse among younger speakers who prefer 'sex education'.