Cool MateNo really vs Really
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
No really
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Really
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adverb
Most formal: ReallyMost common: Really
| No really | Really | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nəʊ ˈrɪəli//🇺🇸 //noʊ ˈrɪli// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈriːəli//ˈrɪəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈriːəli/"]/ |
| Meaning | Used to emphasize that something is true or serious. | very or truly |
| Example | I'm not joking, no really, I did see a ghost! | I really enjoy going to the beach. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | No really, seriously, No really, I mean it, No really, it's true | really want, really good, really sure, really excited, really important |
| Antonyms | - | seldom, never |
| Common mistakes | Used in written formal contexts., Misunderstood as a joke rather than a serious expression. | Using it in place of 'real' when describing a noun., Confusing it with 'really' in terms of degree, e.g., 'really good' instead of 'very good'. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in casual conversations to stress sincerity. Not suitable for formal writing or speeches. | Used to emphasize an adjective or another adverb. It can be informal in casual conversations but is accepted in most contexts; avoid overusing it in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: No really vs Really
What's the difference between No really and Really?
No really: Used to emphasize that something is true or serious. Really: very or truly
Which is more formal: No really and Really?
Really is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: No really and Really?
Really is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
No really: I'm not joking, no really, I did see a ghost! Really: I really enjoy going to the beach.
Can I use No really and Really interchangeably?
Not always. No really and Really are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.