Level 2

사실

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Meaning and Usage

The Korean word '사실' means 'fact' or 'truth'. It is commonly used to introduce or emphasize the reality of a situation, often to clarify or correct information.

Common Contexts

'사실' is frequently used in everyday conversations when someone wants to be honest or reveal the truth behind a story or opinion. It can also soften statements by prefacing them with 'actually' or 'in fact'.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 사실을 말하다: to tell the truth or facts
  • 사실은: actually, the fact is (used to introduce a correction or new information)
  • 사실대로: as it really is, truthfully

Register and Politeness

'사실' is neutral in politeness and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is often paired with polite verb endings to match the speech level.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse '사실' with '진실', which also means 'truth' but is more abstract or moral. '사실' focuses on concrete facts or reality, so use it when referring to factual information rather than moral truth.

Example Sentences

사실을 말하면, 저는 그 일을 몰랐어요.

Sasileul malhamyeon, jeoneun geu ireul mollasseoyo.

To tell the truth, I didn't know about that matter.

사실은 그가 먼저 연락했어요.

Sasireun geuga meonjeo yeollakhaesseoyo.

The fact is, he contacted me first.

사실, 저는 그 영화를 별로 좋아하지 않아요.

Sasil, jeoneun geu yeonghwareul byeollo joahaji anayo.

Actually, I don't really like that movie.