shí实truehuà话wordsshí实trueshuō说speak
To speak the truth; to tell it like it is.
Literal meaning
true (实) — words (话) — true (实) — speak (说)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase emphasizing honesty.
Examples
Wǒ我zhǐ只shì是shí实huà话shí实shuō说，méi没yǒu有è恶yì意。
I'm just telling the truth, I have no malice.
Qǐng请nǐ你shí实huà话shí实shuō说，bù不yào要yǐn隐mán瞒。
Please tell the truth, don't hide anything.
Usage & nuances
Often used to emphasize sincerity and honesty.
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