实事求是

You can use it as a verb or an adjective. It often describes a person's character or a way of working. You might say someone works in a 实事求是 way. Or you can tell a friend to be more 实事求是 when they are exaggerating their dating life. It fits perfectly when you want to pivot a conversation from theory to reality.

Use it in meetings when numbers don't match the hype. It is great for performance reviews or when giving tough love to a friend. If you are writing a report, this phrase adds a layer of professional gravity. It is also a high-level compliment for a boss who doesn't play favorites and looks at results.

Avoid it during a romantic first date if your partner asks if they look good. That is a time for 'white lies,' not brutal factual analysis! Don't use it to be mean or pedantic about tiny, irrelevant details. It is about big-picture honesty, not being the 'actually' person at a party. Also, skip it in very casual slang-heavy texts with teenagers; it might sound a bit like a history teacher.

This phrase is legendary in Chinese politics. It was originally from the 'Book of Han,' but Mao Zedong made it the core philosophy of the Communist Party. Later, Deng Xiaoping used it to spark China's economic reforms. It represents the shift from rigid ideology to practical success. It is the phrase that changed a nation's direction.

You might hear people say 脚踏实地 (feet on the ground). That is more about being hardworking. 实事求是 is specifically about the truth. Another one is 说实话 (to tell the truth), which is much more casual. If you want to sound like a scholar, stick with the four-character version.