Correcting Expectations with 其实 in Chinese
其实
其实 introduces information that corrects an assumption, reveals the real situation, or qualifies what was just said. It usually appears near the beginning of a clause, before the predicate and often after the subject. It needs a meaningful contrast with an expectation; it is not a neutral sequence word meaning then.
Published July 23, 2026
Reviewed July 23, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Context, (Subject +) 其实 + Predicate
Read the structure
其实 introduces information that corrects an assumption, reveals the real situation, or qualifies what was just said. It usually appears near the beginning of a clause, before the predicate and often after the subject. It needs a meaningful contrast with an expectation; it is not a neutral sequence word meaning then. Keep the model Context, (Subject +) 其实 + Predicate visible while you compare each sentence.
我看起来很累，其实不累。
I look tired, but actually I am not.
Choose the right context
Use 其实 to replace an incorrect assumption with the real fact. Use it before a clause that reveals information the listener may not know. Use it to soften a correction by framing the following point as the actual situation.
其实，他早就知道了。
Actually, he knew long ago.
Respect the boundary
Do not place 其实 after the completed predicate it is meant to frame. Do not use 其实 as a chronological connector between unrelated events. Do not leave 其实 without a following proposition that supplies the corrective fact.
他其实了早就知道。
(Actually, he knew long ago.)
Repair the pattern
Aspect particle attaches to a discourse adverb: 其实 is a clause-level discourse adverb and cannot take perfective 了; the completion marker belongs after the predicate 知道. Fixed discourse adverb reversed: The corrective adverb is the fixed two-character word 其实; reversing its characters does not form that adverb.
其实，他早就知道了。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
我看起来很累，其实不累。
I look tired, but actually I am not.
我
Context, (Subject
This part occupies the Context, (Subject position in the model pattern.
看起来
) 其实
This part occupies the ) 其实 position in the model pattern.
很
Predicate
This part occupies the Predicate position in the model pattern.
累
Context, (Subject
This part occupies the Context, (Subject position in the model pattern.
，
) 其实
This part occupies the ) 其实 position in the model pattern.
其实
Predicate
This part occupies the Predicate position in the model pattern.
不
Context, (Subject
This part occupies the Context, (Subject position in the model pattern.
累
) 其实
This part occupies the ) 其实 position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
我看起来很累，其实不累。
I look tired, but actually I am not.
其实，他早就知道了。
Actually, he knew long ago.
这道题其实很简单。
This question is actually simple.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Use 其实 to replace an incorrect assumption with the real fact.
- Use it before a clause that reveals information the listener may not know.
- Use it to soften a correction by framing the following point as the actual situation.
Do not use it when
- Do not place 其实 after the completed predicate it is meant to frame.
- Do not use 其实 as a chronological connector between unrelated events.
- Do not leave 其实 without a following proposition that supplies the corrective fact.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
他其实了早就知道。
其实，他早就知道了。
Aspect particle attaches to a discourse adverb
其实 is a clause-level discourse adverb and cannot take perfective 了; the completion marker belongs after the predicate 知道.
我以为他来了，实其他没来。
我以为他来了，其实他没来。
Fixed discourse adverb reversed
The corrective adverb is the fixed two-character word 其实; reversing its characters does not form that adverb.
他其实了早就知道。
其实 is a clause-level discourse adverb and cannot take perfective 了; the completion marker belongs after the predicate 知道.
我以为他来了，实其他没来。
The corrective adverb is the fixed two-character word 其实; reversing its characters does not form that adverb.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 其实.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 其实. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
Correcting Expectations with 其实 Questions
Is 其实 the same as 但是?
No. 其实 presents the actual fact; 但是 directly marks contrast between clauses.
Can 其实 start a sentence?
Yes. Sentence-initial 其实 commonly introduces a correction or disclosure.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: GF0025-2021 Appendix A, Level 3 item 【三19】 (PDF p. 201)
Provides official Level 3 directory placement and examples only; it does not establish the learner-facing usage explanation.
Official sourceModern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Chapter 15, Adverbs
Supports the clause-level adverb position before the proposition that 其实 frames; the card's corrective meaning is also anchored by the GF inventory item.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Easy to confuse
看来Inference Frame 看来
Compare 其实 used to revise expectations or reveal the truth with 看来 making inferences based on signs, distinguishing known facts and inferences.
Compare
分明Evident Contrast with 分明
Distinguish the mild corrective background of 其实 from the emphatic evidence of 分明. Avoid using a strong accusatory tone in mitigating instructions.
Continue learning
虽然…但是虽然...但是 (Although... But)
Integrate the correction information of 其实 into the turning structure of 虽然但是 to clearly show the contrast between expectations and facts.
Compare
毕竟Decisive Background with 毕竟
其实 corrects an assumption or reveals the facts; 毕竟 supplies a decisive background reason for a conclusion.
RECOMMENDED NEXT
Continue learning
Integrate the correction information of 其实 into the turning structure of 虽然但是 to clearly show the contrast between expectations and facts.