actually
Native recording
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- 1 actually、in fact、to tell the truth
Introduces the real situation or the speaker’s true feelings, often in contrast with an earlier impression, assumption, or statement.
actually、in fact、to tell the truth
Frames what follows as the truth behind an appearance, assumption, misunderstanding, or incomplete account.
Learning notes
Explanation
จริง ๆ แล้ว consists of จริง (“true” or “real”), repeated as จริง ๆ, followed by แล้ว. In this expression, แล้ว does not carry its usual sense of “already” or mark a completed action; the phrase works as a whole to mean “actually” or “in fact.” It can introduce previously unstated information, contrast reality with appearances, gently correct a misunderstanding, or lead into the speaker’s true feelings. Common patterns are จริง ๆ แล้ว + the real situation and แต่จริง ๆ แล้ว + a contrasting fact.
Usage
Used in both conversation and writing when revealing an unexpected fact, explaining the real reason for something, correcting an impression, or gently sharing an honest opinion or feeling.
Caution
In standard spacing, write จริง ๆ แล้ว, with spaces around the repetition mark; จริงๆแล้ว is common in informal digital writing. Also, จริง ๆ by itself often simply intensifies a word as “really,” whereas จริง ๆ แล้ว commonly introduces a statement as “actually” or “in fact.”