actual

actual — 形容詞

1. true and based on real events, facts, or numbers — used when contrasting what re

1.形容詞B2
釋義

實際的

真正存在或發生，與想像或估計相對

true and based on real events, facts, or numbers — used when contrasting what really happened or exists with what people believe, plan, guess, or pretend.

例句

The actual cost of the wedding was almost double what Mateo and Hana had planned.

這場婚禮的實際花費，幾乎是 Mateo 和 Hana 原本預算的兩倍。

contrast between real and expected: actual + noun

Reporters wanted to know the actual number of people living in the flooded village.

記者想知道住在那個淹水村莊裡的實際人數。

actual + noun emphasising real figure

同義詞
  • real

    everyday near-synonym; works in most of the same slots

  • true

    stresses correctness against a claim, not existence as a fact

  • genuine

    stresses authenticity, often of objects or feelings

反義詞

文法句型

actual + noun

用法筆記

Almost always sits directly before a noun (the actual cost, her actual age). Distinguish from sense 2: here it answers "what is the real value or fact?"; in sense 2 it answers "which exact thing or person?".

常見錯誤

❌I will tell you the actual news.
✅I will tell you the latest news.
💡'actual' does not mean 'current' or 'recent'; use 'current', 'present', or 'latest' for time.

2. used before a noun to point to the very thing, person, or moment you are talking

2.形容詞B2
釋義

本身的

強調事物本體，而非周邊或前後相關部分

used before a noun to point to the very thing, person, or moment you are talking about, rather than something around it, leading up to it, or related to it — for example, the speech itself instead of the introduction, or the wedding day instead of the rehearsal.

例句

The introduction was long, but the actual speech only lasted ten minutes.

開場介紹很長，但正式的演講只持續了十分鐘。

contrasting the core thing with what surrounds it

We toured the kitchen, but never saw the actual room where the chef cooks.

我們參觀了廚房，卻一直沒看到主廚下廚的那個房間本身。

the + actual + noun pinpointing the specific item

同義詞
  • exact

    highlights precision; often pairs with words like spot, time, words

  • very

    as adjective: 'the very moment'; stronger emphasis than 'actual'

  • specific

    points to one item out of many, less about main vs surrounding

文法句型

the + actual + noun

用法筆記

Always before a noun, almost always preceded by "the". Distinguish from sense 1: this sense doesn't contrast "real vs fake" but "the main/central thing vs its surroundings, build-up, or copy".

常見錯誤

❌The actual of the meeting was short.
✅The actual meeting was short.
💡'actual' is an adjective, not a noun; it must come before the noun it describes.