VOA慢速英语2021--True or Real?

This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from an English learner in South Korea who recently began using our website. The reader says:

Question:

Dear VOA, I want to know the difference between "true" and "real." Would you tell me? Thank you very much.

Answer:

Hello and thanks for asking this useful question.

I am an English teacher. But when I study other languages, sometimes I also confuse these two adjectives.

In English, "true" and "real" have clear differences. Let's start with "true."

"True" means something is factually correct. Knowing its opposite is helpful. The opposite of true is false, or incorrect.

Take this as an example: "Did you know that flamingo¹ birds feed their babies with a red liquid called ‘crop milk'? It's true." That means it is factual.

"Real" means actually existing or happening. The opposite of real is fictional² or imaginary.

Take this sentence as an example: "I just learned that narwhals are real animals." That means that they are not imaginary creatures. They actually exist.

"Real" can also mean authentic³. For example, if someone says, "This jewel is real," they are saying the stone is authentic.

Truly and really

Now let's talk about adverbs. When "true" and "real" take adverb form, some English learners may be unsure which to choose. The good news is that, as adverbs, both of these words often mean something like "very."

For example, if someone says, "I am truly sorry" it is like saying, "I am really sorry." If someone says, "It was really hot this morning," it's like saying, "It was truly hot this morning."

Note that "really" is more common than "truly" in spoken English.

And that's Ask a Teacher for this week.

Words in This Story

confuse - v. to make someone uncertain or unable to understand something

fictional - adj. of or relating to something that is invented by the imagination

narwhal - n. a medium-sized whale that has a large "tusk⁴" from a protruding⁵ canine⁶ tooth

authentic - n. not copied or fake

1 flamingo   

n.红鹳，火烈鸟

参考例句：

• This is the only species of flamingo in the region,easily recognized by its pink plumage.这是那个地区唯一一种火烈鸟，很容易凭粉红色的羽毛辨认出来。
• In my family,I am flamingo in the flock of pigeons.在家里，我就像一只被困在鸽笼里的火烈鸟。

2 fictional   

adj.小说的，虚构的

参考例句：

• The names of the shops are entirely fictional.那些商店的名字完全是虚构的。
• The two authors represent the opposite poles of fictional genius.这两位作者代表了天才小说家两个极端。

3 authentic   

a.真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的，有根据的

参考例句：

• This is an authentic news report. We can depend on it. 这是篇可靠的新闻报道, 我们相信它。
• Autumn is also the authentic season of renewal. 秋天才是真正的除旧布新的季节。

4 tusk   

n.獠牙，长牙，象牙

参考例句：

• The wild boar had its tusk sunk deeply into a tree and howled desperately.野猪的獠牙陷在了树里，绝望地嗥叫着。
• A huge tusk decorated the wall of his study.他书房的墙上装饰着一支巨大的象牙。

5 protruding   

v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的现在分词 )；凸

参考例句：

• He hung his coat on a nail protruding from the wall. 他把上衣挂在凸出墙面的一根钉子上。
• There is a protruding shelf over a fireplace. 壁炉上方有个突出的架子。 来自辞典例句

6 canine   

adj.犬的，犬科的

参考例句：

• The fox is a canine animal.狐狸是犬科动物。
• Herbivorous animals have very small canine teeth,or none.食草动物的犬牙很小或者没有。