실화 (sil-hwa, silhwa)
실화 (silhwa) means a true story or real event. It's common in everyday talk and news.
Core meaning and shades learners miss.
실화 means a true story or event that actually happened, not fictional or false.
Nuances
When to use
Everyday conversation, News reporting, Online comments
In context
실화 is a noun used mainly in informal speech to express surprise or doubt (e.g., '실화야?') or to emphasize truth (e.g., '실화다'). It's common in spoken Korean rather than formal writing.
이게 진짜 실화야?
i-ge jin-jja sil-hwa-ya?, i ge jin jja sil hwa ya?
‘실화야?’ naturally means ‘Is this true?’ and is commonly used.
그 영화는 완전 실화다.
geu yeong-hwa-neun wan-jeon sil-hwa-da., geu yeong hwa neun wan jeon sil hwa da.
‘실화다’ means ‘based on a true story,’ which is correct.
실화가 아니야?
sil-hwa-ga a-ni-ya?, sil hwa ga a ni ya?
Negative question form naturally expresses doubt.
실화는 영화야.
sil-hwa-neun yeong-hwa-ya., sil hwa neun yeong hwa ya.
‘실화’ means ‘true story,’ but ‘실화는 영화야’ is awkward and ungrammatical.
What is the correct meaning of ‘실화’?
In what situation is ‘실화야?’ used?
