现实 (xiànshí) · reality

现实 (xiànshí) means “reality; realistic”. It is written with 2 characters: 现 (to appear) + 实 (real). It is an HSK 3 word in the 2021 standard.

How 现实 is built

The characters

现 xiàn · to appear

What 现 is made of

王wáng — king
- 一 — horizontal stroke
- 土tǔ — earth
  - 十 — ten
  - 一 — horizontal stroke
见jiàn — to see
- 冂 — frame
  - 丨 — vertical stroke
- 儿ér — child
  - 丿 — falling stroke
  - 乚 — hook stroke

Origin hint: To see 见 jade 王; 见 also provides the pronunciation (from the Make Me a Hanzi dataset; treat as a memory aid where history is uncertain)

实 shí · real

What 实 is made of

宀 — roof
- 丶 — dot
- 冖mì — cover
头tóu — head
- ⺀ — ice
- 大dà — big
  - 一 — horizontal stroke
  - 人rén — person

Example sentences

这个计划不太现实。Zhège jìhuà bù tài xiànshí.This plan isn't very realistic.

我们要面对现实。Wǒmen yào miànduì xiànshí.We have to face reality.

Questions about 现实

What does 现实 mean?

现实 (xiànshí) means “reality; realistic”.

How do you pronounce 现实?

现实 is pronounced xiànshí.

Which HSK level is 现实?

现实 is in HSK 3 (2021) and Old HSK 5.

Related words

Learn 现实 with its group

It is part of HSK 3 (2021) · Group 97: a short group with quick checks and spaced repeats.

Open the group