Sometimes it’s really hard to choose between dreams and reality.
Sentence #1733871 from Tatoeba · translation adapted
How 现实 is built
Each colour is one part of the character. Parts repeat across thousands of characters, so learning them makes new words easier. See all 214 in our radicals chart.
现xiànto appear
王king · wáng
见to see · jiàn
Memory aid王 here is jade 玉, and 见 gives the sound (it was once also read xiàn, “to appear”). Picture jade catching the eye: to appear, now.
实shíreal
宀roof · mián
头head · tóu
Memory aidSimplified from 實, a house 宀 full of strings of coins: solid, real.
How to write 现实
现 8 strokes · 实 8 strokes
Watch the order, then press Try writing it and draw each stroke in the grid. Each stroke is checked as you go.
Stroke order chart for 现实 (xiànshí). Red marks the next stroke, so you can copy it onto paper one step at a time.
现实 (xiànshí) means “reality” or “actuality”. It is an HSK 5 word.
Say it xiànshí: xiàn with a 4th tone, then shí with a 2nd tone. Press Listen at the top of this page to hear it, or Slowly to hear each tone clearly.
In Traditional characters, used in Taiwan and Hong Kong, 现实 is written 現實. The pronunciation is the same.
Add a Chinese (Simplified) pinyin keyboard to your phone or computer, type xianshi with no tone marks or spaces, then choose 现实 from the suggestions. Typing xianshi into this dictionary’s search box finds it too.
现实 is an HSK 5 word in the HSK 2.0 word lists.
Turn words into conversations
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Sources: meaning and pinyin checked by a native Mandarin teacher against the official HSK lists. Extra meanings from CC-CEDICT (CC BY-SA 4.0). Example sentences from Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR). Character parts and stroke order from Make Me a Hanzi.
现xiàn4th tone, falling
实shí2nd tone, rising
