Mandarin TempleCome for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
实际 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
实际shíjìactualHSK 4, n, 15 strokes, rank #3240, Medium
实际shíjìrealityHSK 4, n, 15 strokes, rank #3240, Medium
实际shíjìpracticeHSK 4, n, 15 strokes, rank #3240, Medium
实际shíjìpracticalHSK 4, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #3240, Medium
实际shíjìrealisticHSK 4, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #3240, Medium
实际shíjìrealHSK 4, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #3240, Medium
shíjì(shi2ji4)shi ji T2
  1. 1actual
  2. 2reality
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

实际(實際)shíjì(shi2ji4)

实际 (shí jì) refers to the concept of reality or the actual state of things, as opposed to theoretical or ideal situations. It can be used in various contexts, such as discussing practical applications, realistic expectations, or the actual conditions of a situation.

Strokes15Frequency#3240DifficultyMedium
Cultural note

In Chinese business culture, the concept of 实际 is particularly important, as decisions often need to be based on actual data and practical results rather than theoretical models or assumptions.

Memory tip

Think of 实 (shí) as a 'real stone' in your hand, representing something tangible and actual, while 际 (jì) could evoke the image of crossing the boundary into reality. Together, they remind you of stepping into the real world where things are as they truly are.

Meanings of 实际

shíjì(shi2ji4)
1actual
2reality
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 实际 means.

About 实际

实际Simplified
實際Traditional
15Strokes
—Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#3240Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 实际

JasonAmy

Podcast: 实际

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 实际

Quick Contrast

实际 (shí jì) vs 现实 (xiàn shí) — use 实际 for practical or factual aspects, while 现实 emphasizes the current state of existence.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of using 实际 in both formal and informal contexts, as it is versatile but may sound too technical if overused in casual conversation. Common collocations include 实际情况 (actual situation) and 实际应用 (practical application). Watch for the correct tones; mispronouncing it as shǐ jì could lead to confusion with a different meaning.

HSK Study Tips

At HSK Level 4, 实际 connects well with other vocabulary relating to concepts of truth and reality, such as 真实 (zhēn shí, true) and 理论 (lǐ lùn, theory). Students should focus on how 实际 is used to contrast theoretical ideas with real-life examples.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 实际 with 理论 (lǐ lùn, theory) and use them interchangeably. For example, saying '实际的理论' (actual theory) is incorrect; instead, use '理论与实际' (theory and practice) to highlight the contrast.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 实际

Premium — Locked

Tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 实际, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsPitch drawing+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 实际 to you

Let me explain 实际 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 实际 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

How well do you know 实际?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 实际 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component characters

实shíreal
HSK 48 strokes宀
View full entry
际jìborder
7 strokes阝
View full entry

How to say actual in Chinese

“actual” in Chinese is实际shíjì

实际 (shí jì) refers to the concept of reality or the actual state of things, as opposed to theoretical or ideal situations. It can be used in various contexts, such as discussing practical applications, realistic expectations, or the actual conditions of a situation.

When to use 实际

Be mindful of using 实际 in both formal and informal contexts, as it is versatile but may sound too technical if overused in casual conversation. Common collocations include 实际情况 (actual situation) and 实际应用 (practical application). Watch for the correct tones; mispronouncing it as shǐ jì could lead to confusion with a different meaning.

实际 or something close to it

实际 (shí jì) vs 现实 (xiàn shí) — use 实际 for practical or factual aspects, while 现实 emphasizes the current state of existence.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 实际 with 理论 (lǐ lùn, theory) and use them interchangeably. For example, saying '实际的理论' (actual theory) is incorrect; instead, use '理论与实际' (theory and practice) to highlight the contrast.

Write 实际

实
际

Practice writing 实际 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar patterns of 实际

实际 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons3
Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

你倒是来者不拒，照单全收，可你自己____上却一毛不拔。

You'll take everything you're offered yet your own generosity is virtually non-existent.

Example sentences for 实际 (14)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
nactual12
1
你倒是来者不拒，照单全收，可你自己实际上却一毛不拔。

nǐ dàoshì lái zhě bù jù， zhào dān quán shōu， kě nǐ zìjǐ shíjìshàng què yìmáobùbá。

You'll take everything you're offered yet your own generosity is virtually non-existent.
2
我们需要的不是善意但难以实现的宣言，而是实际行动。

wǒmen xūyào de bùshì shànyì dàn nányǐ shíxiàn de xuānyán， érshì shíjì xíngdòng。

What we need is not manifestos of pious intentions, but real action.
3
奇怪的是，那些不相配的伴侣实际上却彼此需要。

qíguài de shì， nàxiē bù Xiāng pèi de bànlǚ shíjìshàng què bǐcǐ xūyào。

In some perverse way the ill-matched partners do actually need each other.
4
作者们不了解出版界的实际情况，这是人所共知的。

zuòzhě men bù liǎojiě chūbǎn jiè de shíjì qíngkuàng， zhè shì rén suǒ gòng zhī de。

Authors are famously ignorant about the realities of publishing.
5
摇滚乐实际无所不包，这一点很快就显而易见了。

yáogǔn lè shíjì wú suǒ bù bāo， zhè yīdiǎn hěn kuài jiù xiǎn’éryìjiàn le。

It rapidly became apparent that rock'n'roll was a very broad church indeed.
6
这并不那么困难，实际上，容易得很。

zhè bìng bù nàme kùnnan， shíjìshàng， róngyì de hěn。

It's not that difficult. As a matter of fact, it'squite easy.
7
这实际上已是该学说的终结，只是未被道明罢了。

zhè shíjìshàng yǐ shì gāi xuéshuō de zhōngjié， zhǐshì wèi bèi dào míng bàle。

It's the end of the doctrine in all but name.
8
这番冒犯性的话实际上是一名观众的诘难。

zhè fān màofàn xìng dehuà shíjìshàng shì yī míng guānzhòng de jí nán。

The offending comment was in fact a heckle from an audience member.
9
他实际上已经相信了护士们的情况确实如此。

tā shíjìshàng yǐjīng xiāngxìn le hùshi men de qíngkuàng quèshí rúcǐ。

He actually became convinced that the nurses had an unanswerable case.
10
退休金在过去20年中有了实际增长。

tuìxiūjīn zài guòqù20 nián zhōng yǒu le shíjì zēngzhǎng。

Pensions have increased in real terms over the last twenty years.
11
虽然他看起来很友好，但实际性格有些冷漠。

Suīrán tā kàn qǐlái hěn yǒuhǎo, dàn shíjì xìnggé yǒuxiē lěngmò.

Although he seems friendly, his actual personality is somewhat aloof.
12
这份报告显示的数据与实际情况不符。

Zhè fèn bàogào xiǎnshì de shùjù yǔ shíjì qíngkuàng bù fú.

The data shown in this report does not match the actual situation.
nreality2
13
他总是说得很好，但实际情况并不是这样。

Tā zǒng shì shuō de hěn hǎo, dàn shíjì qíngkuàng bìng bù shì zhèyàng.

He always talks a good game, but the reality is not like that.
14
很多人觉得他很富有，但实际他过得很简单。

Hěn duō rén juéde tā hěn fùyǒu, dàn shíjì tā guò de hěn jiǎndān.

Many people think he is wealthy, but in reality, he lives simply.

Ask Jason

Have a question about 实际?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

Frequently asked questions about 实际

Yes, 实际 is commonly used in both formal and informal settings, especially when discussing real-life situations.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 实际?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab