사실 (sa-sil, sasil) · 실제로 (sil-je-ro, siljero)
사실 emphasizes objective truth, while 실제로 highlights experiential or real-world situations.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
An adverb used to indicate objective or logically true information
When to use
Emphasizing objective truth, Logical explanation, Fact verification, Mentioning factual relationship
The nuance
사실 is mainly used to emphasize objective truths or logical facts, focusing on unchanging truth rather than subjective experience.
An adverb used to indicate situations that actually happened in experience or reality
When to use
Experience-based statement, Describing real situations, Presenting actual cases, Emphasizing subjective experience
The nuance
실제로 is used to emphasize things the speaker has directly experienced or that happened in reality, focusing on subjective experience or real situations.
사실 그는 그 일을 하지 않았어요.
sa-sil geu-neun geu il-eul ha-ji an-ass-eo-yo., sa sil geu neun geu il eul ha ji an ass eo yo.
사실 is used when stating an objective truth.
실제로 그는 그 일을 하지 않았어요.
sil-je-ro geu-neun geu il-eul ha-ji an-ass-eo-yo., sil je ro geu neun geu il eul ha ji an ass eo yo.
실제로 is used to emphasize something the speaker experienced or that really happened.
사실 이 영화는 재미있어요.
sa-sil i yeong-hwa-neun jae-mi-iss-eo-yo., sa sil i yeong hwa neun jae mi iss eo yo.
Being interesting is subjective, so 실제로 is more natural than 사실 here.
실제로 이 영화는 재미있어요.
sil-je-ro i yeong-hwa-neun jae-mi-iss-eo-yo., sil je ro i yeong hwa neun jae mi iss eo yo.
실제로 is appropriate to express subjective experience.
사실 그는 한국에 살고 있어요.
sa-sil geu-neun han-guk-e sal-go iss-eo-yo., sa sil geu neun han guk e sal go iss eo yo.
사실 is used to convey objective facts.
실제로 그는 한국에 살고 있어요.
sil-je-ro geu-neun han-guk-e sal-go iss-eo-yo., sil je ro geu neun han guk e sal go iss eo yo.
실제로 is used to emphasize the speaker’s direct experience or real situation.
사실 나는 어제 그 장소에 갔어.
sa-sil na-neun eo-je geu jang-so-e gass-eo., sa sil na neun eo je geu jang so e gass eo.
When talking about personal experience, 실제로 is more natural than 사실.
실제로 나는 어제 그 장소에 갔어.
sil-je-ro na-neun eo-je geu jang-so-e gass-eo., sil je ro na neun eo je geu jang so e gass eo.
실제로 is used to emphasize experience.
Which word is appropriate to emphasize objective truth?
Which word is used to indicate the speaker’s direct experience?
Fill in the blank: "This event is ___ very important."
Fill in the blank: "I am sure ___ he lied."
