Chinese Grammar: Function Word 真(zhēn - really, truly, indeed)

HSK Grammar Points > 真

真 can be used as an Adjective to modify a noun, meaning "true, real". When used as an Adverb, it means "really, truly, or indeed".

1. true/real (Adj.)
   【真(Adj.) + Noun】
   used as an Adjective to modify a noun, meaning "true, real", often without 的.
   • Tā zuìzhōng huì zhǎodào tā de zhēn'ài.
     他最终会找到他的真爱。
     He will eventually find his true love. 13695
     Tā kàn shàngqù xiàng zhēn qián.
     它看上去像真钱。
     It looks like real money. 13696
2. really/truly(Adv.)
   【真(Adv.) + Adj.】【真(Adv.) + Verb】
   When used as an adverb before a verb or an adjective, 真 means "really, truly, indeed".
   • Nǐ jīntiān zhēn piàoliang.
     你今天真漂亮。
     You are really beautiful today. 253
     Tā zhēn de xiāngxìn dìqiú shì píng de.
     他真相信地球是平的。
     He truly believes that the earth is flat. 13700
3. indeed(Adv.)
   【真(Adv.) + Verb】
   often used to emphasize something
   • Nà zhēn shi liǎobùqǐ de shìqíng!
     那真是了不起的事情!
     That is indeed a remarkable thing! 13702
4. (used before 是)
   【真(Adv.) + 是(Verb) +...+ Noun】【真是(Adv.) + Verb】
   In the 1st example, 真(Adv.) is placed before the verb 是. In the 2nd example, 真是 is used as an Adverb to modify the Verb 帮, meaning "really".
   • Zhè zhēn shì gè yǒuqù de yóuxì!
     这真 是个有趣的游戏！
     This is really a fun game! 9031
     Nǐ zhēnshi bāngle wǒ dàmáng!
     你真是帮了我大忙！
     You really helped me a lot! 12331
5. (used before 不)
   【真 + 不 + Verb】【真 + 不 + Auxiliary Verb + Verb】
   used before 不 to emphasize negation
   • Wǒ zhēn bù zhīdào gāi zěnme bàn.
     我真 不知道该怎么办。
     I really don't know what to do. 6204
     Wǒ zhēn bù yīnggāi fàngqì nàgè jīhuì.
     我真 不应该放弃那个机会。
     I really shouldn't have given up that opportunity. 13705
6. (used before 的)
   【真(Adv.) + 的 + Verb】【Subject + 是 + 真(Adj.) + 的】
   真 can modify a verb, often with 的. It also can be used between 是...的 structure.
   • Wǒ zhēn de xūyào jiǎnféile.
     我真 的需要减肥了。
     I really need to lose some weight． 7815
     Zhè xiāoxī shì zhēn de.
     这消息是真的。
     The news is true. 13706
7. (used before Auxiliary Verb)
   【真 + Auxiliary Verb + Verb】
   used before auxiliary verb and verb
   • Zhèyàng de shì zhēn huì fāshēng ma?
     这样的事真 会发生吗?
     Will such things really happen? 13703