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"La verdad" is a form of "verdad", a noun which is often translated as "truth". "De verdad" is a form of "de verdad", a phrase which is often translated as "real". Learn more about the difference between "la verdad" and "de verdad" below.
la verdad(
behr
-
dahd
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (veracity)
a. truth
Te estoy diciendo la verdad y nada más que la verdad.I'm telling you the truth and nothing but the truth.
2. (reality)
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Invitamos nosotros, ¿verdad?We're paying, aren't we?
Te gusta Marta, ¿verdad?You like Marta, don't you?
de verdad(
deh
behr
-
dahd
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (genuine)
a. real
¿Por qué me miras así? ¿Nunca has visto un vaquero de verdad?Why are you looking at me like that? Haven't you ever seen a real cowboy?
2. (actually)
a. really
De verdad no sé si te guste lo que te traje, pero espero que sí.I really don't know if you'll like what I brought you, but I hope so.
3. (truly)
a. for real
Bien muchachos, estuvo bien la práctica, pero ahora juegan de verdad.Well boys, practice went well, but now it's time to play for real.
b. honestly
Cuando te conocí, de verdad no sabía que ibas a ser tan importante en mi vida.When I met you, I honestly didn't know how important you were going to be in my life.
4. (seriously)