How common it is
现实 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say xiànshí slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
“现实”指真实存在的情况，不是想象或梦想。
“Xiànshí” zhǐ zhēnshí cúnzài de qíngkuàng, bùshì xiǎngxiàng huò mèngxiǎng.
“Reality” refers to the actual situation that exists, not imagination or dreams.
Context note
这个词常用来对比理想和真实情况，提醒人们面对事实。
Zhège cí cháng yòng lái duìbǐ lǐxiǎng hé zhēnshí qíngkuàng, tíxǐng rénmen miànduì shìshí.
This word is often used to compare ideals with real situations, reminding people to face facts.
5 examples
我们要接受现实，努力学习。
wǒ men yào jiē shòu xiàn shí， nǔ lì xué xí。
We need to accept reality and study hard.
现实是，今天有作业要做。
xiàn shí shì， jīn tiān yǒu zuò yè yào zuò。
The reality is that there is homework to do today.
梦想很美，但也要面对现实。
mèng xiǎng hěn měi， dàn yě yào miàn duì xiàn shí。
Dreams are beautiful, but we also need to face reality.
现实中的苹果是可以吃的。
xiàn shí zhōng de píng guǒ shì kě yǐ chī de。
Apples in reality are edible.
他明白了现实和故事不一样。
tā míng bái le xiàn shí hé gù shì bù yí yàng。
He understood that reality is different from stories.
5 mini stories
小红想飞起来，但现实是她需要坐飞机。
xiǎo hóng xiǎng fēi qǐ lái， dàn xiàn shí shì tā xū yào zuò fēi jī。
Xiao Hong wanted to fly, but the reality is she needs to take a plane.
小明梦想有超能力，但现实是我们要努力学习。
xiǎo míng mèng xiǎng yǒu chāo néng lì， dàn xiàn shí shì wǒ men yào nǔ lì xué xí。
Xiao Ming dreamed of having superpowers, but the reality is we need to study hard.
花园里没有恐龙，这是现实。
huā yuán lǐ méi yǒu kǒng lóng， zhè shì xiàn shí。
There are no dinosaurs in the garden, that is reality.
她希望每天都是生日，但现实不是这样。
tā xī wàng měi tiān dōu shì shēng rì， dàn xiàn shí bú shì zhè yàng。
She wished every day was a birthday, but reality is not like that.
现实告诉我们，要按时睡觉才能长高。
xiàn shí gào sù wǒ men， yào àn shí shuì jiào cái néng cháng gāo。
Reality tells us that we need to sleep on time to grow tall.