Recognize 実 in 実は, 実 and 実現; learn each complete word in context.

The idea

実は (じつは) means actually; to tell the truth; 実 (み) means fruit; seed; 実現 (じつげん) means realization; coming true. 実 has 8 strokes; follow the linked KanjiVG diagram to write them in order. Learn each reading with its word. Sino-Japanese reading: ジツ（実は）; Japanese-origin reading: み（実）.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingMeaning
実はじつはactually; to tell the truth
実みfruit; seed
実現じつげんrealization; coming true

Examples

  • 実じつは私わたしもその映画えいがが好すきです。Actually, I like that film too.
  • 実じつは昨日きのうから熱ねつがあります。Actually, I have had a fever since yesterday.
  • 木きに赤あかい実みがなりました。The tree bore red fruit.
  • 鳥とりが木きの実みを食たべています。A bird is eating fruit from a tree.
  • 長年ながねんの夢ゆめが実現じつげんしました。A long-held dream came true.
  • 皆みなの協力きょうりょくで計画けいかくが実現じつげんしました。The plan came to fruition thanks to everyone’s cooperation.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

実は often introduces information the listener may not know, rather than claiming that the preceding statement was false. The noun 実 is read み; in 実現 the reading is じつ. Compare 実 and 室; their components differ: 実：宀；室：宀＋至.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 実は in hiragana.

    Show answer or example answer

    じつは

    実は is read じつは and means actually; to tell the truth.

  2. Write the reading of 実 in hiragana.

    Show answer or example answer

    み

    実 is read み and means fruit; seed.

  3. Fill in the missing kanji: ＿現（じつげん）.

    Show answer or example answer

    実

    実 completes 実現, read じつげん; the word means realization; coming true.

Use it today

Cover the table, write 実 from memory, then read 実は and 実 aloud and make a sentence with one of them.