How to say "fact" in Japanese

• 誠まことJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounSeldom the word you want for 'fact': it denotes truth and sincerity in an abstract, often moral sense, as in being true and faithful, not factual information.
  嘘うそから出でた誠まこと。↗

  Many a true word is spoken in jest.
• 事実じじつJLPT N3approx.Common
  adverb, nounThe usual word for 'fact' in the sense of a piece of objective information — something that is or was actually the case — as opposed to opinion, guesswork, or fiction.
  事実じじつは小説しょうせつよりも奇きなり。↗

  Fact is stranger than fiction.
• 本当ほんとうJLPT N5approx.Common
  no-adjective, na-adjectiveCovers 'fact' only through its core sense of truth: what is real or genuine as opposed to false. It is the word for 'the truth' or 'really,' not for citing individual facts.
  その悪わるい知しらせは残念ざんねんながら本当ほんとうだ。↗

  The bad news is unfortunately true.
• 実際じっさいJLPT N3approx.Common
  no-adjectivePoints to actuality: how things really are, as opposed to theory, expectation, or appearance. It fits 'in fact' or 'as a matter of fact' rather than 'a fact' as a countable item.
  この物語ものがたりは実際じっさいの出来事できごとに基もとづいている。↗

  This story is based on actual events.

Use 事実 for facts as objective information, 実際 for what is actually the case ('in fact'), 本当 for truth as opposed to falsehood, and reserve 誠 for abstract or moral truth rather than facts.

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

• 誠まことtruth
• 事実じじつfact
• 本当ほんとうtruth
• 実際じっさいreality
• ファクトfact
• 諒りょうfact
• 実事じつごとfact
• こっちゃ(as for (that)) thing