目錄
In Korean dramas, you often hear 「사실」「실은」「진짜」. Yet in Chinese subtitles, they are frequently reduced to just “其實” (“actually”) and “真的” (“really”), so after seeing them enough times, it is easy to feel as if they are more or less the same. Once you actually use them in conversation, however, the three expressions sound noticeably different.
For example, 「사실 그 식당은 좀 비싸요」 adds a piece of factual information about the situation, while 「실은 그 식당에 아직 안 가 봤어요」 feels more like the speaker has reached this point in the conversation and is only now revealing something they had not mentioned before. 「그 식당 진짜 맛있어요」 is something else entirely: it simply says that the restaurant really is delicious. The Chinese translations may look very similar, but what matters in Korean is whether the speaker is adding factual information, revealing something previously unsaid, or simply strengthening the tone.
What’s the Difference Between Korean 「사실」「실은」「진짜」? A Complete Comparison of Their Three Functions
The biggest difference between 「사실」「실은」「진짜」 is what each expression does to the sentence as a whole. 「사실」 brings the conversation back to the actual situation, 「실은」 often sets up a confession or additional information that follows, while 「진짜」 directly strengthens what comes after it, indicating that something really is true, that the degree is high, or that the speaker is surprised by what they have just heard.
For example, when talking about the same restaurant:
「사실 그 식당은 좀 비싸요」 adds an actual fact about the situation and means something close to “Actually, that restaurant is a little expensive.” 「실은 그 식당에 아직 안 가 봤어요」 sounds more like admitting, “Actually, I haven’t been to that restaurant yet.” 「그 식당 진짜 맛있어요」 simply strengthens the evaluation and means, “That restaurant is really delicious.”
| Expression | Main Function | Common Chinese Translation | Nuance | Common Position |
| 「사실」 | Adds or corrects factual information | 其實, 事實上 | Neutral; common in both spoken and written language | Most common at the beginning of a sentence, but can also appear mid-sentence |
| 「실은」 | Introduces something that had not been said before | 其實, 老實說 | Has a confessional or introductory feel | Usually placed at the beginning of a sentence |
| 「진짜」 | Emphasizes truth or degree | 真的, 超, 非常 | Strongly conversational and emotionally expressive | Before the content being emphasized; can also stand alone |
「사실」 and 「진짜」 also have noun uses. 「사실」 can mean “fact,” as in 「그건 사실이에요」. 「진짜」 can mean “the real thing” or “genuine,” as in 「이거 진짜예요?」. In sentences such as 「사실 오늘 바빠요」 and 「진짜 맛있어요」, however, they are functioning adverbially.
How Do You Use Korean 「사실」? Common Uses for Adding Facts and Correcting Assumptions
The most common conversational function of 「사실」 is to mark what follows as “this is the actual situation.” There may already be an impression, assumption, or conversational context in place, and 「사실」 then adds information the other person did not previously know.
It does not necessarily imply a secret. Sometimes it simply adds information in a calm, neutral way, while at other times it slightly corrects what was said before. Depending on context, it can therefore be translated into Chinese as “其實,” “事實上,” or “實際上.”
Usage ① of 「사실」｜Adding an Actual Situation the Other Person Did Not Know
When 「사실」 appears at the beginning of a sentence, it can feel as though the speaker briefly pauses the conversation and then adds one piece of factual information. The information does not have to be especially private or surprising. It simply differs somewhat from what has been understood so far.
- Example: 사실 오늘 약속이 하나 더 있어요.
- Example: 사실 그 카페는 생각보다 멀어요.
- Example: 사실 이건 처음이 아니에요.
Usage ② of 「사실」｜Correcting a Previous Impression or Statement
If a conversation already contains an assumption, 「사실」 works well before stating an actual situation that is not quite the same. This is also one of the areas where the difference between 「사실」 and 「실은」 becomes easier to see.
- Example: 쉬워 보여도 사실 꽤 어려워요.
- Example: 사람이 별로 없는 줄 알았는데 사실 주말에는 아주 붐벼요.
- Example: 처음에는 관심이 없었는데 사실 지금은 자주 봐요.
How Do You Use Korean 「실은」? The Nuance of Confession and Revealing Background Information
「실은」 is also often translated as “其實” in Chinese, but compared with 「사실」, it more easily gives the impression that the speaker has something they are about to say. It is similar to Chinese expressions such as “其實有件事……” or “老實說……”, where the speaker uses 「실은」 as a small lead-in before explaining something that had not previously been mentioned.
This is not a rigid rule. 「사실」 and 「실은」 can be interchangeable in many contexts, and the difference is more about conversational focus. 「사실」 tends to place the emphasis on the factual information itself, while 「실은」 more readily draws attention to the fact that “I’m only telling you this now.”
Usage ① of 「실은」｜Admitting Something That Had Not Been Said Before
「실은」 often appears before private matters, explanations, and confessions. What follows might be that the speaker forgot to do something, changed their original mind, or is dealing with a situation that is somewhat difficult to bring up.
- Example: 실은 아직 예약을 안 했어요.
- Example: 실은 부탁이 하나 있어요.
- Example: 실은 어제 연락하려고 했는데 너무 늦었어요.
Usage ② of 「실은」｜Softening the Lead-In Before a Refusal or Explanation of Difficulty
「실은」 works well before information that is inconvenient to state directly, such as a scheduling conflict, a personal reason, or a problem at work. It does not automatically make a refusal more polite, but it can make the transition into the explanation feel less abrupt.
- Example: 실은 오늘 저녁에는 시간이 좀 어려워요.
- Example: 실은 그날 다른 일정이 잡혀 있어요.
- Example: 실은 이 부분을 아직 잘 이해하지 못했어요.
How Do You Use Korean 「진짜」? Three Conversational Uses: “Really,” “Very,” and 「진짜?」
「진짜」 does not belong to the same functional category as the previous two expressions. 「사실」 and 「실은」 usually affect how the whole sentence is understood, while 「진짜」 more often directly strengthens the adjective, verb, or judgment that follows it, indicating that something really is true or that its degree is stronger than usual.
In everyday Korean, 「진짜」 is highly conversational. Besides 「진짜 맛있어요」 meaning “It’s really delicious,” it can also stand alone as 「진짜?」 or 「진짜요?」, meaning “Really?” or “Is that true?”
Usage ① of 「진짜」｜Strengthening Degree: “Really Very…”
When 「진짜」 appears before an adjective or state, it is similar to conversational Chinese expressions such as “真的很” or “超”. The point is not to reveal a fact, but to intensify the feeling or degree.
- Example: 이거 진짜 맛있어요.
- Example: 어제 진짜 바빴어요.
- Example: 그 배우 진짜 연기 잘해요.
Usage ② of 「진짜」｜Emphasizing That Something Is Really True
「진짜」 can also emphasize that something is not a joke, rumor, or exaggeration. In Chinese, this is usually translated as “真的” or “是真的.”
- Example: 진짜 몰랐어요.
- Example: 그 이야기 진짜예요.
- Example: 농담 아니고 진짜 가고 싶어요.
Usage ③ of 「진짜」｜Standing Alone as a Reaction Meaning “Really?”
In Korean dramas and everyday conversation, the standalone 「진짜?」 is extremely common. With rising intonation, it usually expresses surprise or asks for confirmation. With falling intonation, it can convey exasperation, disbelief, or a feeling like “Seriously…”
- Example: 진짜요?
- Example: 진짜? 언제?
- Example: 아, 진짜…
Complete Comparison of Korean 「사실・실은・진짜」: What Can and Cannot Be Interchanged?
「사실」 and 「실은」 are both often translated into Chinese as “其實,” and there are indeed many contexts where they can be interchanged. However, their conversational focus is slightly different. 「사실」 more often brings the conversation back to the actual situation, while 「실은」 more easily introduces something that had not been said before. 「진짜」 does not add background information; instead, it strengthens truth, degree, or emotion.
| Comparison Item | 「사실」 | 「실은」 | 「진짜」 |
| Main function | Adds or corrects factual information | Introduces something that had not previously been said | Emphasizes truth, degree, or emotion |
| Common Chinese translation | 其實, 事實上, 實際上 | 其實, 老實說 | 真的, 非常, 超 |
| Focus of nuance | “The actual situation is this” | “I’m telling you this now” | “This really is the case” |
| Common at the beginning of a sentence | Very common | Very common | Possible, but also often placed directly before the content being emphasized |
| Confessional feel | Sometimes, but not required | Usually stronger than 「사실」 | Does not have this function |
| Can correct a previous assumption | Yes | Yes, though it often also feels like background information is being revealed | Usually not its function |
| Can intensify degree | Usually not used for degree emphasis | Usually not used for degree emphasis | Yes |
| Can stand alone as a reaction | Usually no | Usually no | Yes, as in 「진짜?」「진짜요?」 |
| Register | Common in both speech and writing | Common in conversation and narration | Clearly conversational |
| Common combinations | 사실 어렵다、사실 아니다 | 실은 말이야、실은 부탁이 있다 | 진짜 좋다、진짜 맛있다、진짜? |
▌「사실」 vs 「실은」｜Adding Facts vs Revealing Something Previously Unsaid
「사실」 and 「실은」 can both be translated as “actually” in many sentences, and they can also often be directly exchanged. The difference is not grammatical correctness, but which layer of meaning the speaker wants to emphasize.
「사실」 is easier to understand as “the actual situation is…,” while 「실은」 more readily sounds like “there’s something I’m only telling you now…”
✅ 사실 아직 예약을 안 했어요.
Actually, I haven’t made the reservation yet. The focus is more on the actual fact that the reservation has not yet been made.
✅ 실은 아직 예약을 안 했어요.
Actually, I haven’t made the reservation yet. The meaning is almost the same, but it sounds more like the speaker is only now admitting something they had not previously mentioned.
If the conversation does not involve any need for confession or setup, 「사실」 is generally more neutral.
▌「진짜」 vs 「사실／실은」｜Emphasizing Truth vs Adding Information
❌ 진짜 아직 예약을 안 했어요.
This does not mean “Actually, I haven’t made the reservation yet.” It is closer to “I really haven’t made the reservation yet.”
✅ 사실 아직 예약을 안 했어요.
Actually, I haven’t made the reservation yet.
✅ 실은 아직 예약을 안 했어요.
Actually, I haven’t made the reservation yet.
「진짜」 simply makes the fact that the reservation has not yet been made sound more strongly true. It does not automatically create the function of “revealing something that had not been said before.”
▌How Does the Nuance Change If You Replace 「사실・실은・진짜」 in the Same Sentence?
When the three expressions appear in similar contexts, the Chinese translation may differ only between “其實” and “真的,” but in Korean, the listener’s attention shifts to different things. The clearest way to compare them is to keep the rest of the sentence the same and change only the expression at the beginning, then see whether the speaker is giving the actual situation, revealing something only now, or emphasizing that the situation really is true.
- Example: 사실 아직 예약을 안 했어요.
- Example: 실은 아직 예약을 안 했어요.
- Example: 진짜 아직 예약을 안 했어요.
Looking at these three sentences together makes the distinction clearer. 「사실」 and 「실은」 can both correspond to Chinese “其實,” with the difference mainly involving informational focus and the sense of confession. 「진짜」 goes in a different direction entirely, emphasizing that something really is the case. They therefore cannot simply be swapped because Chinese subtitles may make “actually” and “really” look similar.
What’s the Difference Between Korean 「진짜・정말」? Both Mean “Really,” but Their Nuance and Context Differ
「진짜」 and 「정말」 can both mean “really” or “very,” and in many everyday sentences, either one sounds natural. Their difference mainly appears in tone and context. 「진짜」 feels more like a spontaneous reaction that comes out in conversation, so its emotional quality is often more obvious. 「정말」 has a broader range of use: it works in casual conversation with friends, but also does not sound out of place in somewhat more formal situations.
| Comparison Item | 「진짜」 | 「정말」 |
| Basic meaning | Really, genuine, very | Really, indeed, very |
| Main function | Emphasizes truth, degree, or immediate emotion | Emphasizes truth or degree and can also strengthen expressions of gratitude |
| Conversational feel | Stronger | Also common in speech, but generally calmer |
| Emotional feel | More direct | Relatively restrained |
| Formal situations | Sounds more everyday when used as an intensifier | Broader range of use and common in formal contexts |
| Standalone question | 「진짜?」 is extremely common | 「정말?」 is also natural |
| “Really delicious” | 진짜 맛있어요 | 정말 맛있어요 |
| Formal gratitude | 진짜 감사합니다 sounds more conversational | 정말 감사합니다 sounds more natural and stable |
| Noun meaning “the real thing / genuine” | Yes, as in 「이거 진짜예요?」 | Usually not used as a noun in this sense |
▌「진짜」 vs 「정말」｜Immediate Reaction vs Calmer Tone
✅ 이거 진짜 맛있어.
This is seriously delicious.
✅ 이거 정말 맛있어.
This is really delicious.
Both are natural. 「진짜」 sounds more like something that comes out immediately after taking a bite, while 「정말」 is relatively calmer.
▌「진짜」 vs 「정말」｜Conversational Gratitude vs Formal Gratitude
△ 진짜 감사합니다.
This is understandable in conversation, and people do say it, but in formal situations it sounds somewhat more everyday.
✅ 정말 감사합니다.
Thank you very much.
For public remarks, business communication, or situations where some degree of formality or distance is needed, 「정말」 is generally safer than 「진짜」.
▌How Does the Tone Change If You Replace 「진짜」 with 「정말」 in the Same Sentence?
Unlike 「사실／실은」, 「진짜」 and 「정말」 do not usually change the informational function of the sentence itself. In many cases, the Chinese translation is identical. The difference is closer to the emotional temperature of the moment. If the rest of the evaluative sentence stays the same and only the adverb is changed, one feels more like an immediate reaction while the other sounds relatively calm.
- Example: 이거 진짜 맛있어.
- Example: 이거 정말 맛있어.
The distance between the two is also visible in expressions of gratitude:
- Example: 진짜 감사합니다.
- Example: 정말 감사합니다.
So there is no need to draw a rigid line such as “use one in casual speech and only the other in formal situations.” The real difference is closer to interpersonal distance. 「진짜」 more easily carries the speaker’s immediate reaction directly into the sentence, while 「정말」 fits a wider range of settings. There is naturally a great deal of overlap between them.
Korean 「사실・실은・진짜」 for Travel in Korea: Hotel, Restaurant, and Asking for Directions
The easiest place to truly understand 「사실」「실은」「진짜」 is not in a vocabulary list, but in conversational transitions. When 「사실」 appears, you can often expect information that differs from the previous assumption. After 「실은」, the speaker often introduces something they are only now going to say. 「진짜」, meanwhile, usually directly reveals the speaker’s surprise or the intensity of their feelings.
▌Situation ①｜Realizing You Chose the Wrong Reservation Date at a Hotel
A：예약 확인이 안 되는데요.
ye-yak hwak-in-i an doe-neun-de-yo.
I can’t find the reservation.
B：실은 예약 날짜를 잘못 선택했어요.
si-reun ye-yak nal-jja-reul jal-mot seon-taek-hae-sseo-yo.
Actually, I selected the wrong reservation date.
📌 Grammar Point: 「실은」 sounds natural before admitting a mistake that the speaker is only now explaining. It has the feel of revealing the situation and preparing to explain the reason.
▌Situation ②｜A Friend Recommends a Restaurant
A：여기 음식 어때요?
yeo-gi eum-sik eo-ttae-yo?
How is the food here?
B：진짜 맛있어요. 특히 김치찌개가 좋아요.
jin-jja ma-si-sseo-yo. teuk-hi gim-chi-jji-gae-ga jo-a-yo.
It’s really delicious. The kimchi stew is especially good.
📌 Grammar Point: 「진짜」 directly strengthens the degree of 「맛있어요」 and is a very common conversational expression when sharing restaurant impressions while traveling.
▌Situation ③｜You Thought a Tourist Attraction Was Close
A：역에서 금방 갈 수 있죠?
yeok-e-seo geum-bang gal su it-jyo?
You can get there quickly from the station, right?
B：사실 걸어가면 이십 분 정도 걸려요.
sa-sil geo-reo-ga-myeon i-sip bun jeong-do geol-lyeo-yo.
Actually, it takes about 20 minutes on foot.
📌 Grammar Point: The assumption that “it should be quick” has already appeared, so 「사실」 corrects the actual distance. This is closer to a straightforward factual correction than 「실은」 would be.
Cultural Notes:
- 「사실」 in conversation does not necessarily mean that some major secret is coming next. Often, it simply makes a small factual correction, as in 「사실 생각보다 멀어요」. If it is always translated into Chinese as a dramatic “其實有件事……”, the Chinese may sound heavier than the original Korean.
- 「실은」 works well before something that is somewhat difficult to bring up, but it is not automatically equivalent to the formal Chinese “老實說”. It can appear in conversations with friends, explanations of reasons, and narrative storytelling. The actual nuance depends on whether the following content reveals background information that had not previously been stated.
- The meaning of 「진짜」 depends heavily on intonation. 「진짜?」 may express pure surprise, while 「아, 진짜」 can convey irritation or exasperation. When watching Korean dramas, the Chinese subtitle “真的” alone often does not tell you the emotion; you need to listen to the voice and pauses as well.
How Should You Understand Korean 「사실・실은・진짜」 Compared with Japanese 「実は・本当に」?
Japanese 「実は」 covers a broader range than any single Korean word and, depending on context, can correspond to Korean 「사실」「사실은」 or 「실은」. If the speaker is correcting factual information, 「사실」 is natural. If the speaker is about to reveal something that had not previously been said, 「실은」 more strongly resembles the confessional opening feel of 「実は……」.
「진짜」 is comparatively close to Japanese 「本当に」. In highly conversational and emotionally strong contexts, it may also be similar to Japanese 「マジで」, but the level of formality differs, so they cannot be directly substituted in every situation.
- Example: 実は、そこは思ったより遠いです。
- Example: 実は、まだ予約していません。
- Example: これ、本当においしいです。
◆ Core Difference from Japanese 「実は／本当に」:
Japanese 「実は」 can cover many of the situations expressed by both Korean 「사실」 and 「실은」. Therefore, when translating from Japanese back into Korean, you still need to check whether the speaker is objectively correcting factual information or preparing to reveal something that had not previously been said. 「진짜」 corresponds more easily to 「本当に」, but the level of formality still needs to be judged separately.
When looking at 「사실」「실은」「진짜」 together, there is no need to memorize three fixed Chinese translations. 「사실」 often appears when the speaker is adding information or slightly correcting a previous assumption. 「실은」 feels more like the conversation has reached a point where the speaker is about to add something that had not previously been said. 「진짜」 is much more direct: if something tastes good, it really tastes good; if the speaker is tired, they are really tired; and if a piece of news is surprising, they can simply respond with 「진짜?」
There is also no need to draw an overly rigid boundary between 「진짜」 and 「정말」. The two expressions can already be interchanged in many situations. In conversation, 「진짜」 is usually a little more direct, while 「정말」 also fits somewhat more formal settings more smoothly. The next time you hear these expressions, rather than immediately translating them as “actually” or “really,” first look at whether the sentence is adding information, revealing something previously unsaid, or intensifying the speaker’s immediate feeling. That often makes the Korean easier to understand.
FAQs
Both can often mean “actually,” but their focus differs. 「사실」 more commonly adds or corrects factual information, while 「실은」 more easily appears before the speaker reveals something that had not previously been said. This is a tendency in nuance, not a rigid grammatical rule that prevents them from being interchanged.
Both can mean “actually.” 「사실은」 includes the topic particle 「은」, which makes it easier to create a contrastive sense such as “the actual situation is…” or “actually…”. In everyday conversation, the shorter 「사실」 is also very common. In practice, the difference is usually not large enough to change the overall meaning of the sentence.
Both can mean “really” or “very,” but 「진짜」 has a stronger conversational and emotional feel, while 「정말」 has a broader range of use and is more stable in formal situations. Both 「진짜 맛있어요」 and 「정말 맛있어요」 are natural, but in formal expressions of thanks, 「정말 감사합니다」 is generally more appropriate than 「진짜 감사합니다」.
Yes, and it is extremely common in everyday conversation. 「진짜?」 means “Really?”, and the polite form is 「진짜요?」. Intonation can also change the meaning: 「아, 진짜…」 does not always ask whether something is true and may instead express exasperation or irritation.
Not all of them. 「사실」 and 「실은」 overlap considerably, but 「진짜」 mainly emphasizes truth or degree. For example, 「실은 아직 안 갔어요」 means “Actually, I haven’t gone yet,” while changing it to 「진짜 아직 안 갔어요」 gives the meaning “I really haven’t gone yet,” so the function of the expression changes.