Usage note
实际上表示其实、真正的情况。
shí jì shang biǎo shì qí shí 、 zhēn zhèng de qíng kuàng。
Actually means the real situation.
Context note
实际上常用于解释和纠正。
shí jì shang cháng yòng yú jiě shì hé jiū zhèng。
Actually often appears in explanations and corrections.
5 examples
实际上不是这样。
shí jì shang bú shì zhè yàng。
Actually, it is not like this.
他实际上很忙。
tā shí jì shang hěn máng。
He is actually very busy.
实际上我知道。
shí jì shang wǒ zhī dào。
Actually, I know.
这件事实际上很简单。
zhè jiàn shì shí jì shang hěn jiǎn dān。
This matter is actually very simple.
实际上，答案就在这里。
shí jì shang， dá àn jiù zài zhè lǐ。
Actually, the answer is right here.
5 mini stories
我以为会很难，实际上不难。
wǒ yǐ wéi huì hěn nán， shí jì shang bù nán。
I thought it would be hard, but actually it was not.
他说自己不紧张，实际上有点紧张。
tā shuō zì jǐ bù jǐn zhāng， shí jì shang yǒu diǎn jǐn zhāng。
He said he was not nervous, but actually he was a little nervous.
这道题看起来复杂，实际上很简单。
zhè dào tí kàn qǐ lái fù zá， shí jì shang hěn jiǎn dān。
This question looks complicated, but actually it is simple.
实际上，她已经知道答案了。
shí jì shang， tā yǐ jīng zhī dào dá àn le。
Actually, she already knew the answer.
老师说得很清楚，实际上大家都听懂了。
lǎo shī shuō dé hěn qīng chǔ， shí jì shang dà jiā dōu tīng dǒng le。
The teacher explained clearly; actually everyone understood.
Mini dialogue
找东西
A
我以为铅笔在桌子上。
Wǒ yǐwéi qiānbǐ zài zhuōzi shang.
I thought the pencil was on the desk.
B
实际上，它掉到地上了。
Shíjìshang, tā diào dào dì shang le.
Actually, it fell on the floor.
聊宠物
A
这只猫看起来很凶。
Zhè zhī māo kàn qǐlái hěn xiōng.
This cat looks very fierce.
B
实际上，它非常温柔，喜欢和人玩。
Shíjìshang, tā fēicháng wēnróu, xǐhuan hé rén wán.
Actually, it is very gentle and likes to play with people.
Related words and contrasts
similar
其实
qí shí
actually, in fact
其实 is a softer way to say 'actually' in daily talk.
contrast
表面
biǎo miàn
surface, appearance
表面 means on the surface, often contrasted with 实际上.