実は|じつはjitsuha[2]nakadaka (mid-high)

1. expression, adverbas a matter of fact; by the way; to tell you the truth; to be honest; frankly; actuallyは is pronounced as わ
   実じつはそれはただのうわさだったよ。↗

   Actually, it was just a rumour.

• Synonym実際じっさいNeutralPoints to what is actual as opposed to theory or imagination (「実際の数字」); 「実は」 instead signals that you are about to reveal the truth.
• Synonym実のところじつのところNeutralA set phrase meaning 'to tell the truth'; very close to 「実は」 but with a softer, gentler tone.
• Synonym実を言えばじつをいえばNeutralA set phrase like 'frankly speaking'; identical in use to 「実を言うと」, with a slightly more written flavor.
• Synonym実を言うとじつをいうとNeutralA set phrase meaning 'to tell the truth'; stronger than 「実は」 in announcing that a confession is coming.
• Related現にげんにNeutralAn adverb stressing that the fact is right there (「現に昨年も事故が起きた」) — it backs a claim with evidence, while 「実は」 unveils a truth.
• Related事実じじつNeutralMeans 'fact'; as an adverb it asserts something is indeed true (「事実、そうだった」), keeping the focus on objective fact rather than disclosure.
• Related真実しんじつNeutralA noun for the truth itself (「真実を語る」), leaning toward written prose; 「実は」 is the adverb that introduces a truth into the conversation.
• Relatedその実そのじつWrittenA written/formal adverb for 'in fact': things look one way on the surface but are otherwise (「その実、何も考えていない」), often with a contrastive twist.
• Related実際にじっさいにNeutralAn adverb for what really happened or was really done (「実際に事故が起きた」「実際に行ってみる」); 「実は」 instead leads into a revealed truth.

Use 「実は」 or 「実を言うと」 to confess or reveal the truth. For the actual as opposed to the theoretical, choose 「実際」; for a fact right before your eyes, 「現に」; for what really lies beneath the surface, 「その実」.

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

1. 包み隠つつみかくさず本当ほんとうの事ことを言ゆうと。