真 (zhēn) - True, real, genuine, authentic & actual, indeed

真Tone 1

zhēn ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

丈志

真 · zhēn

True, real, genuine, authentic;

actual, indeed;

clearly, unmistakably;

truth, reality.

True, real, genuine, authenticactual, indeedclearly, unmistakably

Usage highlights

True or falseTruly, reallySincere, genuineTruth, realityAuthentic productPhotograph

Synonyms

  • 实— real, solid, factual
  • 正— proper, correct, genuine
  • 诚— sincere, honest

Antonyms

  • 假— fake, false, artificial
  • 伪— false, counterfeit, bogus
  • 虚— empty, false, unreal

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • This is genuine jade (真玉).
  • I truly believe it (我真相信).
  • The true meaning of life (人生的真谛).
  • He is a true friend (真朋友).
  • Authentic Italian cuisine (真意大利菜).

Collocations

  • True or false(真假)
  • Truly, really(真正)
  • Sincere, genuine(真诚)
  • Truth, reality(真理)
  • Authentic product(真品)
  • Photograph(写真)

Idioms

  • Genuine gold fears no fire(真金不怕火炼)
  • True knowledge lies in practice(真知灼见)
  • Return to one's original nature(返璞归真)
  • Unable to tell true from false(真假难辨)
  • Sincere and earnest(真心实意)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Daoist philosophy, 'zhen' represents the authentic, primordial state of being, free from artificiality.
  • In Buddhism, it relates to ultimate truth (真如) as opposed to conventional reality.
  • The character appears in many compound words expressing authenticity and sincerity in Chinese culture.

FAQ