really
gb/ɹˈɪli/ us/ɹˈɪli/
A2
English
~ 200
nagyon, tényleg, valóban, valójában, komolyan
A2
1
nagyon
A1
Usage pattern:
really [adjective/adverb]
The movie was really exciting.
A film nagyon izgalmas volt.
She runs really fast.
Nagyon gyorsan fut.
I'm really tired after work.
That cake is really delicious.
Learner examples
The room is really big.
A szoba nagyon nagy.
He is really nice.
Nagyon kedves.
I am really happy.
It is really hot today.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'really' with 'very' in formal writing; 'really' is more common in speech and informal texts.
Meaning
To a high or extreme degree
Collocations
really good
|really bad
|really fast
|really happy
Synonyms
very (Slightly less emphatic and more neutral than 'really'.)
Antonyms
slightly (Indicates a small degree, opposite of strong emphasis.)
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say that something is very much or very true.
Used to emphasize the degree or intensity of an adjective, adverb, or verb.
A2
2
Usage pattern:
really [verb/auxiliary verb]
Do you really think that's a good idea?
Tényleg azt gondolod, hogy ez jó ötlet?
Ghosts don't really exist.
A szellemek valójában nem léteznek.
I really saw him at the store.
Learner examples
I really like this book.
Tényleg tetszik ez a könyv.
She really lives in New York.
Tényleg New Yorkban él.
He really works here.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes overuse 'really' instead of 'actually' in formal contexts.
Meaning
In fact or actually true
Collocations
really exist
|really happened
|really believe
Synonyms
actually ('Actually' can sometimes sound more formal or corrective.)
Antonyms
supposedly (Indicates that something is claimed but may not be true.)
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to show that something is true, not just a story or idea.
Used to say that something is true and not imagined or pretended.
A2
INFORMAL
3
"I met the president yesterday." – "Really?"
„Tegnap találkoztam az elnökkel.” – „Tényleg?”
"She's moving to Japan." – "Really? I didn't know that."
„Japánba költözik.” – „Tényleg? Nem tudtam.”
"He won the lottery." – "Really! That's amazing."
Learner examples
"I saw a famous actor." – "Really?"
„Láttam egy híres színészt.” – „Tényleg?”
"She speaks five languages." – "Really?"
„Öt nyelven beszél.” – „Tényleg?”
"We are going to Paris." – "Really?"
Common mistake:
Learners might forget to raise intonation when using 'Really?' as a question in speech.
Meaning
Expressing surprise or doubt
Synonyms
seriously ('Seriously' can be stronger and sometimes more skeptical.)
Antonyms
obviously (Shows certainty rather than doubt or surprise.)
Themes
conversation
|communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to show you are surprised or not sure if you believe something.
Used as a response to show surprise, interest, or doubt about what someone has said.
Grammar
Dictionary form
really
IPA
GB/ɹˈɪli/
US/ɹˈɪli/
Syllables & stress
really (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (really)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: really
- Plural: reallies
Word family
Forms
reallies
noun
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
unreal
adjective B2
unrealistic
adjective B1
Expressions
really and truly
1/ɹˈɪli ˈænd tɹˈuli/
fixed phrase
informal
Completely genuine or sincere
Used to say that something is 100% true or sincere.
Examples
- I really and truly didn't mean to hurt you.
- She really and truly believes in her project.
really though
1/ɹˈɪli ðˈoʊ/
fixed phrase
informal
Returning to serious point after casual talk
Used when you want to be serious after joking or chatting.
Examples
- Really though, we need to finish this today.
- Really though, are you okay?
not really
1/nˈɑt ɹˈɪli/
fixed phrase
Only slightly or not exactly true
Used to say something is only partly true or not true in a strong way.
Examples
- Do you like the food? Not really.
- Do you like horror movies? Not really.
- I’m not really sure what you mean.
- Is it finished? Not really, we still have some work left.