True / real

It means “true,” “real,” or “genuine.” In Mandarin Chinese, 真 can also mean “really” or “indeed” before an adjective. In Japanese, it contributes truth or sincerity to longer words; the whole word determines its reading.

An early form appears in inscriptions on Western Zhou bronze vessels. Later forms appear in manuscripts from the ancient Chinese state of Chu, then in seal script (an older formal style), clerical script, and regular script (a standard book hand).

Its beginnings have competing explanations. The Eastern Han Shuowen Jiezi, an early Chinese dictionary, explains 眞 as an immortal changing form and ascending to heaven. A study of ancient writing proposes a connection between an early form and 殄, a different character; that link remains a hypothesis. Neither explanation makes modern 真 a literal picture of truth.

What does 真 mean in a message?

Placement can turn it into everyday emphasis. In Mandarin, 真 before an adjective works like “really” or “so”: 真好 means “really good” or “so good.” In 真心 and 真实, it contributes to words about sincerity and reality.

In Japanese, 真実 means “truth,” while 真面目 means “earnest” or “serious.” Korean Hanja—the use of Chinese characters in Korean—includes 眞實하다, a word meaning “honest” or “sincere.” If someone sends only 真, look at the surrounding language and words to work out what they mean.

Why is 真 also written 眞?

眞 is an older or alternate form of 真. Japanese references list 眞 as the old form; Taiwan’s character standard recognizes it as an alternate. Which form appears can depend on regional or historical writing conventions.