的确

Place 的确 right before a verb or an adjective. For example, if a soup is tasty, say 的确很好喝. It functions like an adverb. You are basically putting a stamp of approval on the statement. It works best when there is already a topic on the table. If your friend says the movie was long, you chime in with 的确很长. It shows you are paying attention and agree.

Use it when you want to sound sincere. It is perfect for professional meetings. It also works great when gossiping with friends. Use it when you are impressed by something. If you see a beautiful sunset, 的确漂亮 feels more heartfelt than a simple 很漂亮. It is also a great 'filler' to show you are listening during a long story. It makes you sound like a supportive listener.

Don't use it to ask a question. You cannot say 的确吗? to mean 'Really?' Use 真的吗? instead. Also, avoid using it for things that are just your personal, unverified opinion. It is for things that feel like established facts or shared experiences. If you use it too much in one paragraph, you might sound like a repetitive lawyer. Keep it for the points you really want to emphasize.

Chinese culture values harmony and 'giving face.' Using 的确 is a polite way to validate someone else's opinion. It builds a bridge between speakers. It shows you aren't just hearing them, but you agree with their logic. It has a slightly classic feel but is used by everyone today. It suggests you are a person who weighs facts before speaking.

In very casual speech, people might just say 确实. They are almost interchangeable. 的确 feels a bit more 'written' or formal, but only slightly. You might also hear 的确如此, which means 'It is indeed so.' This is the ultimate 'mic drop' of agreement. If you want to be extra, you can say 的确的确 twice to show intense agreement.