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March 24, 2026
真相zhēnxiàng(zhen1xiang4)
真相 (zhēnxiàng) refers to the underlying truth or actual facts behind a situation or event. It is commonly used in contexts where clarity or revelation is needed, such as investigations, discussions about important matters, or when unveiling hidden realities.
Frequency#991DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of uncovering the 'truth' is significant in Chinese culture, especially in the context of historical narratives where the 'true story' may be obscured. It's often linked to discussions about justice and integrity in society.
Memory Tip
Think of 真 (zhēn) as representing 'true' and 相 (xiàng) as depicting 'appearance' or 'image'. Imagine a detective uncovering the 'true image' behind a mystery, helping you associate the word with the quest for the actual truth.
Meanings of 真相
zhēnxiàng(zhen1xiang4)
1the truth about sth
2the actual facts
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About 真相
真相Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#991Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 真相
Podcast: 真相
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AI Study Notes for 真相
Quick Contrast
真相 (zhēnxiàng) vs 事实 (shìshí) — use 真相 when emphasizing the deeper or underlying truth, while 事实 refers to concrete facts that are indisputable.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 真 (zhēn) as representing 'true' and 相 (xiàng) as depicting 'appearance' or 'image'. Imagine a detective uncovering the 'true image' behind a mystery, helping you associate the word with the quest for the actual truth.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 真相 with 事实 (shìshí), which means 'fact'; while they are related, 真相 carries a deeper implication of uncovering something hidden. This term is more formal, often used in journalistic or investigative contexts.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 真相 connects to other advanced vocabulary related to truth, reality, and clarity. Students should focus on using it in complex sentences and understanding its nuances in different contexts.
Cultural Note
The concept of uncovering the 'truth' is significant in Chinese culture, especially in the context of historical narratives where the 'true story' may be obscured. It's often linked to discussions about justice and integrity in society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 真相 as zhen4 xiang4 instead of the correct zhen1 xiang4. Additionally, confusing it with similar words like 事实 (shìshí) can lead to inaccuracies in meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 真相
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Grammar Patterns of 真相
真相 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
bù zhī hé gù， ， wǒ zǒng jué dé tā huì bǎ zhēn xiāng gào sù wǒ。
Somehow I knew he would tell me the truth.
9
我花了几个星期才从他那儿套出事情的真相。
wǒ huā le jī gè xīng qī cái cóng tā nà ér tào chū shì qíng de zhēn xiāng。
It took me weeks to worm the facts out of him.
10
真相开始逐渐浮出水面。
zhēn xiāng kāi shǐ zhú jiàn fú chū shuǐ miàn。
The truth is beginning to come out about what happened.
Cultural Notes for 真相
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of uncovering the 'truth' is significant in Chinese culture, especially in the context of historical narratives where the 'true story' may be obscured. It's often linked to discussions about justice and integrity in society.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, the pursuit of truth is often associated with individualism and personal discovery, whereas in Chinese culture, it may be more communal and tied to collective understanding and harmony.
Frequently Asked Questions about 真相
真相 emphasizes the deeper truth behind appearances, while 事实 simply denotes what is factual without such depth.
While it's more formal, you can use 真相 in informal contexts, but it may sound a bit serious compared to casual language.
Linking '真' (zhēn) with 'true' and '相' (xiàng) with 'image' can help you recall its meaning and pronunciation.
