zan1 waa2真話真话
Jyutpingzan1 waa2
Yalejān wá
Definition
Truth; words that correspond to the actual facts.
colloquialcommunicationpeople
How it's used
Using 真話 often implies that the speaker suspects someone might be hiding something or being evasive. It is frequently paired with the verb 講 to emphasize the act of being honest or blunt in a specific situation. Unlike the more abstract concept of truth, 真話 focuses on the spoken content of a person's statement.
Measure word
geoi3句geuiExamples
Tell me the truth, what actually happened?
He is a very straightforward person who always tells the truth.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse 真話 with 實話, as they are interchangeable in most contexts, but 真話 is slightly more common in everyday speech when asking someone to be honest.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
