How to Say "in fact" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “in fact” is “realmente” — use 'realmente' when you want to correct a misconception or introduce a surprising truth that contrasts with what was previously thought or implied.
Use 'realmente' when you want to correct a misconception or introduce a surprising truth that contrasts with what was previously thought or implied.
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Use 'efectivamente' to confirm that something is true in reality, often in contrast to a plan, intention, or theoretical possibility.
Learn more →rreh-ahl-MEN-tehre'al'mente
Examples
Parece tímido, pero realmente es muy divertido.
He seems shy, but in fact, he's very fun.
Pensé que la película sería aburrida, pero realmente me encantó.
I thought the movie would be boring, but I actually loved it.
Realmente lo siento, no fue mi intención lastimarte.
I'm truly sorry, it wasn't my intention to hurt you.
Connecting Contrasting Ideas
Realmente is perfect for setting up a contrast. It often appears after pero (but) to reveal the true situation: 'It seems X, but realmente it's Y.'
eh-fek-tee-bah-MEN-tehefektibaˈmente
Examples
La ley no se aplicó efectivamente hasta el año siguiente.
The law wasn't effectively applied until the following year.
Describing the Result
This usage describes how an action was completed in the real world, rather than just on paper.
Choosing Between 'Realmente' and 'Efectivamente'
Learners often confuse 'realmente' and 'efectivamente' because both can imply truth. Remember that 'realmente' is better for correcting assumptions or revealing a surprising contrast, while 'efectivamente' is used to confirm something happened as expected or in reality.
Related Translations
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