How to Say ‘Actually’ in Japanese
実は
jitsu wa
[JEE-tsu wah]
💬 Usage Tip: 実は is said (jitsu wa), with は as (wa). It signals a small confession or bit of news is coming, closer to "to tell the truth" than to a correction.
Phrase Breakdown
実
jitsu
[JEE-tsu]
truth; reality
Forms 実は 'actually; to tell the truth', used to introduce a confession or request.
実は相談があります。
Actually, I have something to ask you.
は
wa
[wah]
topic marker; as for
Marks 'today' as the topic. Written は but pronounced 'wa.'
本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます。
Thank you for giving me your time today.
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