real
gb/ɹˈil/ us/ɹˈil/
A2
Kiingereza
~ 500
Maana
maana 0
adjective
A2
property
1
Actually existing or true
Something that is real exists and is not made up or imagined.
Muundo wa matumizi:
[something] is real
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners sometimes confuse 'real' with 'really' when they mean 'very'. For example, 'It is real good' should be 'It is really good'.
Visawe
actual (Very close in meaning, but 'actual' can emphasize contrast with what was expected.)
Vinyume
imaginary (Describes something made up or not existing in reality.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
real problem
|real person
|real world
|real story
|real thing
Mada
daily life
|truth
|perception
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- The danger was very real, so we left immediately.
- I can't believe this is real—it's like a dream.
- She finally met a real celebrity at the event.
- Is that diamond real or fake?
- Climate change is a real and urgent issue.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- The dog is real, not a toy.
- This story is real, not made up.
- That is a real flower, not plastic.
- The money is real.
- The problem is real.
adjective
informal
B1
property
2
Genuine or sincere
If someone is real, they are honest and not pretending to be something else.
Muundo wa matumizi:
[someone] is real
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners may confuse this sense with 'real' meaning 'not fake' for objects. Here it refers to sincerity in people or feelings.
Visawe
authentic ('Authentic' can sound more formal and often refers to objects or experiences as well as people.)
Vinyume
fake (Describes someone or something that pretends to be genuine but is not.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
real friend
|real feelings
|real talent
Mada
personality
|relationships
|emotions
Mifano
- He's one of the most real people I've ever met.
- I appreciate her because she's so real about her struggles.
- Fans love the singer for being real with them.
- You can tell he's real—he doesn't try to impress anyone.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- She is a real friend.
- He is real about his life.
- They are real with each other.
- She shows her real feelings.
adjective
A2
property
3
Not artificial or fake
If something is real, it is made of the true material and not fake.
Muundo wa matumizi:
real [material/noun]
Visawe
genuine ('Genuine' is slightly more formal and common in product descriptions.)
Vinyume
fake (Describes an imitation of something genuine.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
real leather
|real gold
|real diamond
Mada
materials
|commerce
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- This bag is made of real leather.
- Are those pearls real or imitation?
- He only drinks coffee made from real beans.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- This ring is real gold.
- The coat is real fur.
- The bag is real leather.
adjective
informal
B1
property
4
Very great or extreme (informal)
'Real' can mean 'very' when talking informally about how strong something is.
Muundo wa matumizi:
real [adjective]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners may overuse this form in formal writing where 'really' would be preferred.
Visawe
really ('Really' is more standard grammatically, but 'real' is common in informal speech.)
Vinyume
slightly (Indicates a small degree rather than a high degree.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
real easy
|real good
|real bad
Mada
intensity
|informal speech
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- This cake is real good!
- It was a real surprise to see him there.
- She's a real smart kid.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- This movie is real fun.
- He is real tall.
- The game was real exciting.
Nomino
B1
entity
5
Brazilian currency unit
'Real' is the money used in Brazil. The plural form is 'reais'.
Miunganiko ya maneno
one real
|ten reais
Mada
money
|geography
|finance
|travel
Mifano
- The ticket costs fifty reais.
- I exchanged dollars for reals at the bank.
- Prices are listed in Brazilian reals.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- I have ten reais.
- The book costs five reais.
- Brazil uses the real as money.
Sarufi
Umbo la kamusi
real
IPA
GB/ɹˈil/
US/ɹˈil/
Silabi na mkazo
real (silabi 1)
Stress on 1st syllable (real)
Maumbo ya neno
Adjective
- Base: real
- Comparative: realer
- Superlative: realest
Noun
- Base: real
- Plural: reales, reals, reis, riales
Familia ya neno
Forms
reales
noun
reals
noun
reis
noun
riales
noun
realer
adjective
realest
adjective
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
surreal
adjective
surrealism
noun C1
Semi
for real
1/fɚ ɹˈil/
fixed phrase
informal
Genuinely true or happening
Used to say that something is really true or actually happening.
Mifano
- Are you for real? I can't believe it!
- This time it's for real—we're getting married.
get real
1/ɡˈɛt ɹˈil/
idiom
informal
Be realistic about something
To stop dreaming or pretending and understand the truth about a situation.
Mifano
- Get real! That plan will never work.
- You think you can finish this in one day? Get real.
in real life
1/ˈɪn ɹˈil lˈaɪf/
fixed phrase
In the actual world, not virtual or fictional
In the world that is not online, in movies, or in games.
Mifano
- We talk online but have never met in real life.
- In real life, things are more complicated than in films.
keep it real
1/kˈip ˈɪt ɹˈil/
idiom
informal
Act naturally and honestly
To be yourself and not pretend to be someone else.
Mifano
- He's famous but still keeps it real with his fans.
- Remember to keep it real when you meet them.
make it real
1/mˈeɪk ˈɪt ɹˈil/
fixed phrase
Turn an idea into reality
To do something so that an idea becomes true in the world.
Mifano
- The artist's goal was to make her vision real.
- Technology can make these dreams real.