really
vs
real

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"Really" is an adverb which is often translated as "muy", and "real" is an adjective which is often translated as "real". Learn more about the difference between "really" and "real" below.

really(

rih

)

An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).

adverb

1. (very)

a. muy

I had a really good time with you last weekend.La pasé muy bien contigo el fin de semana pasado.

b. de verdad

Tana French's books are really good. You should read them.Los libros de Tana French son buenos de verdad. Deberías leerlos.

2. (truly)

a. de verdad

You're right; he really does look a lot like Humphrey Bogart.Tienes razón; de verdad se parece a Humphrey Bogart.

b. realmente

It really was unexpected.Realmente fue inesperado.

c. en verdad

I really don't know what you're talking about.En verdad no sé de qué estás hablando.

An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).

interjection

3. (expressing surprise)

a. de verdad

You're going to have another slice of pizza? Really?¿De verdad vas a comer otro pedazo más de pizza?

b. en serio

You got into Harvard? Really? Congratulations!¿Te aceptaron en Harvard? ¿En serio? ¡Enhorabuena!

real(

ril

)

An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).

adjective

1. (true)

a. real

Her books are based on real events.Sus libros se basan en hechos reales.

b. auténtico

This is real coffee, not that instant stuff they sell.Esto es café auténtico, no esa cosa instantánea que venden.

c. de ley

My bracelet is made of real gold.Mi pulsera está hecha de oro de ley.

2. (actual)

a. verdadero

She has never met her real father.Nunca ha conocido a su padre verdadero.

b. real

This is the real world; you have to work to earn your living.Este es el mundo real; tienes que trabajar para ganarte la vida.

3. (great)

a. verdadero

The waiting in the hospital was real torture.La espera en el hospital fue un verdadero suplicio.

4. (mathematics)

a. real

The product of two real numbers must be a real number.El producto de dos números reales tiene que ser un número real.

5. (finance)

a. real

Companies are no longer investing in the real economy; they prefer to reward stakeholders.Las empresas ya no invierten en la economía real, prefieren gratificar a los accionistas.

An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).

adverb

A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).

(colloquial)

(very)

Regionalism used in the United States

(United States)

This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.

no direct translation

I am real happy.Estoy contentísima.

This beer is real good.Esta cerveza es muy buena.

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