実際(じっさい)

じっさい
noun
reality, actually
1. reality, actuality, practice
What really exists or happens, as opposed to theory or imagination.
理論(りろん)と実際(じっさい)は違(ちが)う。
Theory and practice are different.
実際(じっさい)の生活(せいかつ)はもっと大変(たいへん)だ。
Actual life is much harder.
写真(しゃしん)で見(み)るのと実際(じっさい)に見(み)るのとでは、全然(ぜんぜん)印象(いんしょう)が違(ちが)う。
Seeing something in photos versus seeing it in reality gives a completely different impression.
2. actually, in fact, really
Used adverbially to emphasize the truth or reality of something.
実際(じっさい)に見(み)てみないと分(わ)からない。
You won't understand unless you actually see it.
実際(じっさい)は違(ちが)うんです。
Actually, it's different.
実際(じっさい)に行(い)ってみたら、思(おも)ったより静(しず)かだった。
When I actually went there, it was quieter than I expected.

実際(じっさい) means 'reality' or 'actuality' as a noun, and 'actually' or 'in fact' as an adverb. It contrasts what is real with what is theoretical, imagined, or expected.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 実際(じっさい)に: actually, in practice (emphasizes firsthand experience)
  • 実際(じっさい)は: in fact, actually (reveals the truth, sometimes correcting a misconception)
  • 実際(じっさい)の + noun: actual, real (実際(じっさい)の問題(もんだい) = the actual problem)
  • 実際(じっさい)に会(あ)う: meet in person (as opposed to online)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 実(じつ)は: actually, to tell the truth (confession-like, revealing something unexpected)
  • 本当(ほんとう)は: really, in truth (similar but more emotional)
  • 現実(げんじつ): reality (noun only, more concrete/philosophical)
  • 実際(じっさい) emphasizes practical reality vs. theory or expectations

Related Words

Synonym: 実(じつ)は (actually, to be honest)
general
Added 2026.1.11 21:19 · Revised 2026.5.21 5:09
02500/02502_jissai