Cool MateReally vs Truly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Really
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adverb
Truly
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
Most common: Really
| Really | Truly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈriːəli//ˈrɪəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈriːəli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈtruːli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈtruːli/"]/ |
| Meaning | very or truly | Really; in a sincere way. |
| Example | I really enjoy going to the beach. | She is truly an amazing artist, and her work speaks volumes. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | really want, really good, really sure, really excited, really important | truly believe, truly appreciate, truly understand |
| Antonyms | seldom, never | falsely, insincerely |
| Common mistakes | 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'. | 'Truely' is a common misspelling., Confusing 'truly' with 'really' — they are similar but can have different nuances., Using 'truly' too frequently can sound repetitive. |
| Usage notes | 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. | Use 'truly' to emphasize honesty or to indicate that something is genuine. It is often used in both spoken and written English, but can sound slightly formal in casual settings. Avoid using it in overly casual or slang conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Really vs Truly
What's the difference between Really and Truly?
Really: very or truly Truly: Really; in a sincere way.
Which is more common: Really and Truly?
Really is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Really and Truly?
Truly is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Really and Truly the same CEFR level?
Really: A1, Truly: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Really and Truly?
Really: adverb, Truly: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Really: I really enjoy going to the beach. Truly: She is truly an amazing artist, and her work speaks volumes.
Can I use Really and Truly interchangeably?
Not always. Really and Truly 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.