实际上

實際上

shíjìshang

adverb HSK 3 #718

Meanings

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

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.

实际上，事情没那么简单。

Shíjìshang, shìqing méi nàme jiǎndān.

Actually, things aren't that simple.

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