1.
truth; reality; what is genuine
Used as a noun for 'the truth' or 'the real essence' of something. Mostly appears in set phrases and formal/literary contexts.
2.
true; genuine; real (prefix)
Used as a noun-modifier or prefix meaning 'true' or 'real' — emphasizing that something is the genuine, authentic version. Attaches to many nouns to form compounds.
Highly productive as a prefix; rare as a standalone noun in everyday speech. Sense 1 mostly appears in formal/literary or philosophical contexts.
Compounds
- 真実: truth (the more common everyday word)
- 真犯人: true culprit; real perpetrator
- 真相: real state of affairs
- 真冬: midwinter
- 真夏: midsummer
- 真価: true value; real worth
Notes on reading
真 is the on'yomi reading. The kun'yomi 真 (often written まこと in standalone use) gives a different set of compounds: 真っ白 (pure white), 真っ暗 (pitch dark), etc. Context and the following sound usually make the reading clear.