AdverbsHSK 4

Clarifying with "in fact" using 实际上

实际上 is used to state what is really true, often contrasting with what was said or assumed before.

It typically appears at the start of a sentence or after the subject to introduce the real situation.

Structure

实际上 + Clause

At the beginning of a sentence, presenting the real situation.

Subj. + 实际上 + Verb / Clause

After the subject, to clarify what is actually the case.

他看起来很严肃，实际上很幽默。
Tā kàn qǐ lái hěn yán sù, shí jì shang hěn yōu mò.
He looks serious, but in fact he's very humorous.
实际上，这个问题没有看上去那么复杂。
Shí jì shang, zhè ge wèn tí méi yǒu kàn shàng qù nà me fù zá.
Actually, this problem isn't as complicated as it seems.
我以为他会生气，实际上他笑了笑。
Wǒ yǐ wéi tā huì shēng qì, shí jì shang tā xiào le xiào.
I thought he would get angry, but in reality he just smiled.
实际上，我们已经完成了大部分工作。
Shí jì shang, wǒ men yǐ jīng wán chéng le dà bù fen gōng zuò.
In fact, we have already finished most of the work.
这种药实际上没有副作用。
Zhè zhǒng yào shí jì shang méi yǒu fù zuò yòng.
This medicine actually has no side effects.