实际上

實際上

shíjìshang

adverb HSK 3 #718

Meanings

实际 (reality) + 上 (aspect marker) = 'in reality'

HSK 3

他看起来很年轻，实际上已经四十岁了。

Tā kànqǐlái hěn niánqīng, shíjìshang yǐjīng sìshí suì le.

He looks young, but he's actually already forty.

HSK 3

实际上，事情没那么简单。

Shíjìshang, shìqing méi nàme jiǎndān.

Actually, things aren't that simple.

HSK 3

理论上可以，但实际上很难。

Lǐlùn shang kěyǐ, dàn shíjìshang hěn nán.

In theory it's possible, but in practice it's very difficult.

grammar

实际上 usually goes at the beginning of a clause to introduce a contrasting reality: 看起来…实际上… (it looks like...but actually...).

实 shí

际 jì

上 shàng