实际 (shíjì)

实际 means practical, actual, or realistic, referring to what is real and concrete rather than theoretical or idealistic. As a noun it means "reality" or "actual conditions." It is commonly used to contrast what is ideal with what is actually happening.

Meanings

[adjective] Practical; actual; realistic; concrete.
[noun] Reality; actual conditions; practice.

Example Sentences

计划听起来不错，但实际上执行起来面临很多困难。 Jìhuà tīng qǐlái búcuò, dàn shíjì shàng zhíxíng qǐlái miànlín hěn duō kùnnán. The plan sounds good, but in reality it faces many difficulties in execution.

他是一个非常实际的人，不喜欢空谈理论。 Tā shì yīgè fēicháng shíjì de rén, bù xǐhuān kōng tán lǐlùn. He is a very practical person who does not like empty theoretical talk.

这项技术的实际效果远超出了我们的预期。 Zhè xiàng jìshù de shíjì xiàoguǒ yuǎn chāochū le wǒmen de yùqī. The actual effect of this technology far exceeded our expectations.

在制定政策时，要从实际出发，结合当地的具体情况。 Zài zhìdìng zhèngcè shí, yào cóng shíjì chūfā, jiéhé dāngdì de jùtǐ qíngkuàng. When formulating policies, one must start from actual conditions and combine them with the specific local situation.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
实际上	in fact; actually
实际情况	actual situation
从实际出发	start from reality
实际效果	actual effect
切合实际	realistic; in line with reality

Usage Notes

实际上 (shíjì shàng) is one of the most useful discourse markers at B1 level, meaning "in fact" or "actually," used to introduce the real state of affairs in contrast to appearances or assumptions. As an adjective, 实际 can modify nouns: 实际困难 (actual difficulties), 实际需求 (real needs). The phrase 从实际出发 (proceed from reality) is a key expression in Chinese political and administrative language.

Memory Hook

实 means "solid/real" and 际 means "boundary/occasion." The 实际 is the solid edge where ideas meet reality — the boundary between what is dreamed and what is actually done.