実際|じっさいjissai[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N3approx.Common
Definitions
  1. no-adjectivereality; actuality; truth; fact; actual conditions
    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.
  2. nounpractice (as opposed to theory)
    理論りろんと実際じっさいとは必かならずしも一致いっちしない。↗
    Theory and practice do not necessarily go together.
  3. adverbtruly; really; indeed; actually
    人間にんげんは実際じっさい自然しぜんのなすがままである。↗
    Man is indeed at the mercy of nature.
  4. noun, Buddhismbhutakoti (limit of reality)
Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym現実げんじつNeutralThe facts facing you here and now, contrasted with ideals or dreams, as in 「現実は厳しい」; unlike 「実際」, it has no adverb use.
  • Synonym事実じじつNeutralA thing that actually happened, as in 「事実を述べる」; the focus is on true vs. false, while 「実際」 stresses actual conditions and practice.
  • Synonym実態じったいNeutralThe actual state or real situation, as in 「実態調査」; leans toward what surveys uncover and feels more written/formal than 「実際」.
  • Synonym真相しんそうNeutralThe truth behind an event, as in 「真相を究明する」; typically used for facts that have been hidden.
  • Synonym真実しんじつNeutralWhat is true and free of falsehood, as in 「真実を語る」; carries moral and emotional weight, while 「実際」 stays objective.
  • Synonym実相じっそうWrittenA written/formal word for the true face of things; in Buddhism, the true nature of all things. Rare in everyday speech.
  • SynonymいかにもNeutralMeans 'indeed, truly', or 'just like' something looks, as in 「いかにも彼らしい」; carries an emphatic tone.
  • Synonym現にげんにNeutralAn adverb asserting that something is really so, often citing facts at hand as proof, as in 「現にここにある」.
  • Synonym実はじつはNeutralMeans 'actually, to be honest' and reveals what the listener does not know; it cannot be used as a noun.
  • Synonym真しんNeutralMostly a prefix meaning pure or dead-center, as in 「真夏」「真正面」; standing alone it means truth, but is rare in modern usage.
  • Synonym本当ほんとうNeutralThe most common colloquial word for 'true, real', as in 「本当の話」; 「実際」 leans toward objective actual conditions.
  • Synonym誠まことNeutralMeans truth or sincerity; as an adverb it means 'truly', as in 「誠にありがとう」; mostly in formal, solemn settings.
  • Related事実上じじつじょうNeutralMeans 'in effect, practically', as in 「事実上の決定」「事実上不可能」; stresses the actual state of things over the formal one.
  • Relatedその実そのじつNeutralAn adverb meaning 'in fact', as in 「親切そうだが、その実冷たい」; often exposes a gap between appearance and reality.
  • Related実際にじっさいにNeutralThe adverbial form of 「実際」, meaning 'really, actually', as in 「実際に事故が起きた」; 「実際」 itself can also serve as a noun.
  • Related真まNeutralMostly a prefix meaning pure or dead-center, as in 「真夏」「真正面」; standing alone it means truth, but is rare in modern usage.
  • Related実のところじつのところNeutralMeans 'to tell the truth' and introduces the real facts; slightly more formal than 「実は」.
  • Related実を言えばじつをいえばNeutralMeans 'to tell the truth' and is used to confess what is really going on; its tone is close to 「実は」.
  • Related実を言うとじつをいうとNeutralMeans 'honestly speaking' and leads into a confession in colloquial talk.
  • Antonym虚構きょこうWrittenA written/formal word for fiction or fabrication, standing opposite to the reality of 「実際」.
  • Antonym想像そうぞうNeutralPicturing things in your head, the opposite of 「実際」 as actual conditions, as in 「想像と実際は違う」.

Use 「実際」 for actual conditions or the adverb 'actually'. Choose 「現実」 when contrasting with ideals, 「事実」 for what really happened, 「実態」 for states revealed by investigation, 「真相」 for hidden truths behind events, and 「真実」 for truth with moral weight. To admit or reveal something, pick 「実は」 (or the slightly more formal 「実のところ」). In casual speech, 「本当」 is the everyday word for 'true'. 「事実上」 means 'in effect'; 「現に」 cites facts at hand. Antonyms: 「想像」 is imagination, 「虚構」 fabrication.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 現実げんじつの事柄ことがらや有様ありさま。実態じったい。
  2. 現げんにそうであったり、発生はっせいしたり行動こうどうしたりする様さま。
  3. 実践的じっせんてき、実務じつむ的てきな様よう。
  4. 本当ほんとうに。実じつに。まったく。
  5. 現げんに。事実じじつとして。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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