How to say "actually" in Japanese

• 現にげんにJLPT N2approx.Common
  adverbCovers 'actually' meaning 'really, in actual fact': it stresses that something is genuinely so, often to back a claim with a concrete fact. Typical when countering doubt or denial.
• 事実上じじつじょうCommon
  adverb, no-adjectiveCovers 'actually' in the sense of 'effectively, in reality': what is the case de facto, though not necessarily in name. Typical when describing someone's real status or a situation's real outcome.
  彼かれの返事へんじは事実上じじつじょうは拒絶きょぜつだった。↗

  His reply was in effect a refusal.
• 実際はじっさいはCommon
  expression, adverbCovers 'actually' as 'in fact, in reality': it contrasts what is really true with what appears or was assumed. Typical when correcting an impression or comparing appearance with reality.
• 元来がんらいJLPT N1approx.Common
  adverbThis is seldom the word you want for 'actually': it really means 'originally, essentially, by nature', describing inherent character or the original state of things, not a surprising fact.
  元来がんらいフットボールとは、ポロのように馬うまに乗のって行おこなわれる競技きょうぎとは違ちがって、足あしで、ボールを使つかって行おこなわれる競技きょうぎのことでした。↗

  Football originally meant "a game played with a ball on foot" - unlike a game played on horseback, such as polo.
• 実はじつはJLPT N3approx.Common
  expression, adverbFor the conversational 'actually' that introduces a disclosure — surprising news, a confession, or something previously unsaid — this is the word you want, close to 'to tell the truth'.
  実じつはそれはただのうわさだったよ。↗

  Actually, it was just a rumour.

For the conversational 'actually' that reveals something, use 「実は」; to stress what is really so, 「現に」 or 「実際は」; for 'effectively, in reality', 事実上; 元来 means 'originally, by nature', not 'actually'.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 現にげんにactually
• 事実上じじつじょうas a matter of fact
• 実際はじっさいはin fact
• 元来がんらいoriginally
• 実はじつはas a matter of fact
• 実際にじっさいにactually
• アクチュアリactually
• 実際のところじっさいのところactually
• そもafter all
• よく考えたらよくかんがえたらon closer reflection
• そもそもafter all
• 果たしてはたしてreally
• 誠まことindeed
• 実際じっさいtruly
• 内実ないじつin truth
• 普通にふつうにby anyone's standards